Coalescence of single-wall carbon nanotubes and nano-peapods

For various applications in nanotechnology, electronic devices and strong nano-mechanical systems need the establishment of molecular connections among single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs). Coalescence of SWNTs has been observed in-situ under electron irradiation at high temperature in a transmission electron microscope [1]. The merging process is investigated at the atomic level using molecular dynamics simulations. Vacancies induce coalescence via a zipper-like mechanism, imposing a continuous reorganization of atoms on individual tube lattices along adjacent tubes. Other topological defects induce the polymerization of tubes.