Observation and formation mechanism of individual graphene foils inside multi-walled carbon nanotubes

The formation of individual graphene foils (GF) has been evidenced in the present study inside multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The graphene foils are attached on one side to a catalyst nanoparticle and on the other side to the internal walls of the nanotube. Moreover, results suggest that a necking process occurs in which internal carbon walls are deformed until formation of the graphene foil. A possible mechanism for the GF formation is then proposed.