One-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures: Growth mechanism and handedness correlation revealed by nondestructive TEM
Yongjia Zheng, Akihito Kumamoto, Kaoru Hisama, Keigo Otsuka, Grace Wickerson, Yuta Sato, Ming Liu, Taiki Inoue, Shohei Chiashi, Dai‐Ming Tang, Qiang Zhang, Anton S. Anisimov, Esko I. Kauppinen, Yan Li, Kazu Suenaga, Yuichi Ikuhara, Shigeo Maruyama, Rong Xiang
Abstract
TEM grid, which enabled a transfer-free and nondestructive access to many intrinsic structural details. In particular, we have distinguished different-shaped boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) edges, which are confirmed by electron diffraction at the same location to be strictly associated with its own chiral angle and polarity. We also demonstrate the importance of surface cleanness and isolation for the formation of perfect 1D heterostructures. Furthermore, we elucidate the handedness correlation between the SWCNT template and BNNT crystals. This work not only provides an in-depth understanding of this 1D heterostructure material group but also, in a more general perspective, serves as an interesting investigation on crystal growth on highly curved (radius of a couple of nanometers) atomic substrates.