Evaluation of diameter distribution of inside cavities of open CNTs by analyses of nitrogen cryo-adsorption isotherm

Precise evaluation of innerdiameter distribution of open carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is the basis of systematic investigation of physico-chemical processes occurring in nano-sized quasi-1-dimensional carbons. Due to the porosity characteristics and adsorption properties, this study evaluated the innerdiameter and its distribution of carbon nanotubes by analyses of nitrogen cryo-adsorption isotherms, and proved that the gas adsorption method is an effective method to characterize the inner cavity structure in comparison with that of electron microscopy observations and Raman measurements. The advantages of this method are as follows: Firstly, statistical information for innerdiameter distribution of open nanotubes can be obtained; Secondly, the method based on the adsorption process in inner cavities is of importance for investigation of other physico-chemical pro- cesses inside the cavities of carbon nanotubes. And finally, if combining with other characterization methods, complete structural information for cavity can be acquired and these basic parameters are important for theoretical investigations and practical applications of carbon nanotubes.