Chiral carbon nanoscrolls with a polygonal cross-section

Carbon nanoscrolls with a unique polygonal cross-section have been discovered in films synthesized by chemical vapor deposition in a hydrogen-methane gas mixture activated by a direct current discharge. The structure type has been revealed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) combined with selected area electron diffraction patterning. The peculiarities observed in the TEM diffraction contrast have allowed for the identification of the nanoscroll shape as a twisted polygon. A three-dimensional atomic structure model of these complex nanocarbon species is based on a tilting series and the electron diffraction patterns. The proposed model adequately describes the structure of the nanoscrolls and the formation mechanism of the characteristic diffraction contrast in their corresponding electron microscopy images. The results point to the specific features of the electronic properties of nanoscrolls. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.