Opening multiwall carbon nanotubes with electron beam

A new method of nanomachining and opening multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) has been demonstrated. The puncture is accomplished by moving a converged electron beam in transmission electron microscope (TEM) onto the water inclusion in the multiwall carbon nanotube. The high resolution TEM images show that the reaction between the water inclusion and the walls of the carbon nanotube is the main reason for the appearance of the puncture. The reaction is stimulated by the converged electron beam irradiation. The puncture in different electron microscopy modes occurs with the same mechanism and approximately the same size, independent on the diameter of the electron beam.