Temperature-induced change from p to n conduction in metallofullerene nanotube peapods

Metallofullerene nanotube peapods were prepared by introducing Dy@C-82 into the interior space of single-walled carbon nanotubes. Transport measuremen ts show that the Dy@C-82 molecules function as electron donors and transfer charge to the carbon nanotube host. The amount of charge transferred varie s with the temperature. At room temperature, the doped nanotube shows p-typ e behavior as seen from the response to a back gate. As the temperature dec reases, the conductance becomes n type and at T < 215 K metallic behavior i s observed, indicating the degenerate state by doping. Below about 75 K, si ngle-electron charging phenomena dominate the transport and show irregular Coulomb blockade oscillation, implying that the insertion of Dy@C-82 splits the tube into a series of several quantum dots. (C) 2001 American Institut e of Physics.