We propose to use photodesorption as a noninvasive tool to clean carbon nanotubes from oxygen, offering a clear advantage over thermal and chemical treatments. The detachment of chemisorbed oxygen from atomic vacancies is triggered by a resonant Auger process, initiated by an O1s→O2p transition, which leaves two holes in the O2s level. In the electronically excited state, oxygen desorbs spontaneously, with no damage to the carbon network or the cylindrical nanotube shape. Subsequent reaction of oxygen atoms with H2 molecules is shown to prevent reoxidation of the nanotube.

A.R. acknowledges support from the European Community 6th framework Network of Excellence NANOQUANTA (NMP4-CT-2004-500198) Spanish MCyT and the University of the Basque Country. D.T. was partly supported by the NSF-NIRT Grant No. DMR-0103587.

Peer reviewed