Neutron-irradiation catalyzed synthesis of novel carbon nanomaterials

It was found that Sc 2 @C 84 or Sc 2 O 3 could be “kicked” into the cavities of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) by reactor neutrons. Neutron irradiation also efficiently induces coalescing reactions between two fullerene cages with an atom-spacer, forming a C 2 m =C=C 2 n type of carbon nanomaterials. This process provides a new subject of studying interactions (and their consequences) of neutrons with nanoparticles, which may put new insights for neutron sciences.