Structure and mechanical flexibility of carbon nanotube ribbons: An atomic-force microscopy study

Collapsed multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) sections and segments (carbon nanotube ribbons) on surfaces were observed by atomic-force microscopy. Th e collapsed form of these MWCNTs allowed the determination of the layer num ber and the inner and outer diameters for their uncollapsed form. The resul ts show that such carbon nanotube ribbons are extremely flexible and readil y conform to the underlying substrate morphology. The formation of the coll apsed form of these nanotubes is consistent with recent theoretical analysi s on the mechanics of nanotubes. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.