Fabrication of carbon nanotubes by electrical breakdown of carbon-coated Au nanowires

A carbon nanotube has been generated by the electrically-induced breakdown of a carbon-coated Au nanowire. Under high current density the Au in the nanowire migrates towards both the anode and cathode resulting in a free-standing carbon nanotube and a 73% reduction in resistance. The resistivity of the carbon nanotube was <8 x 10(-5) Omega m and it could cope with a current density >1.8 x 10(11) A/m(2), indicating a structural change from amorphous to graphitic carbon. The dimensions of carbon nanotubes produced in this way have an internal diameter controlled by the parent metal nanowire template. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.