The precise atomic structure and relative atomic conformation of the individual carbon nanotubes comprising a double wall carbon nanotube was determined. The double-walled carbon nanotubes were imaged using an aberration corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscope operating at 80kV. Using processing in Fourier space images of the inner and outer tube of a double-wall carbon nanotube were analyzed. Comparisons of these results with simulated high-resolution transmission electron microscopic images enable the chiral indices and relative atomic correlation of the component tubes of non-commensurate double-walled carbon nanotubes to be determined. This technique was used to reveal the presence of a defect in the inner tube of a (6,6) & (18,2) double-walled carbon nanotube. Using aberration-corrected high resolution transmission electron microscopy combined with processing in Fourier space, images of the inner and outer tubes of double-wall carbon nanotubes were analyzed. The chiral indices and relative atomic correlation of the component tubes of non-commensurate double-walled carbon nanotubes were determined and a defect in the inner tube of a (6,6) & (18,2) double-walled carbon nanotube was revealed.

The Identification of Inner Tube Defects in Double-Wall Carbon Nanotubes. C.S.Allen, A.W.Robertson, A.I.Kirkland, J.H.Warner: Small, 2012, 8[24], 3810-5