A bending angle of 180° of single walled carbon nanotubes: novel high resolution electron microscopy observations

Direct high resolution transmission electron microscopy images (HREM) showed the high flexibility of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) without load. Bending angle of approximately 180° was shown, in which no visible nanotube distortion was revealed. “Unbent” SWCNT persisted in HREM image. Bending SWCNT in 180° indicated an interesting network at the bottom of the bent region. The new morphology image showing bent and unbent SWCNT bundles may provide interesting mechanical and electronic properties and structural characteristics.