Exotic carbon nanostructures obtained through controllable defect engineering

Abstract

We numerically demonstrate the spontaneous formation of various 3D carbon nanostructures, like multi-tube carbon nanotubes, nanopyramids, nanocubes, artificially rippled graphene, and other exotic nanomaterials, starting from graphene nanoribbons and inducing controllably engineered defects consisting of carbon adatoms or inverse Stone–Wales defects. The evolution of the initial defected planar structures towards the final 3D nanoarchitectures is obtained through molecular dynamics simulations, using different force fields to ensure the reproducibility of the derived results. The presented carbon nanostructures of different shapes, sizes, and morphologies, can be used in applications ranging from storage of hydrogen or other molecules, enhanced chemical reactions or catalysis in confined compartments, to drug delivery nanodevices and biosensors.