Transformation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into oxidized nanoribbons

TEM images depicting the transformation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into oxidized nanoribbons. The starting material (left) consists of regular MWCNT structures that are 40 – 80 nm in diameter. After treatment with KMnO4 in sulfuric acid at 23 – 70 °C for 2 h, nanoribbons (right) are formed whose surface closely resembles that of graphite oxide but with straight edges. The right side of the ribbon is partially folded onto itself. The dark structures are part of the carbon imaging grid. Images by: Amanda L. Higginbotham