The response of nanotubes to uniform atom loss was observed. The response was found to involve surface reconstruction and marked dimensional changes. Experiments performed using electron irradiation led to nanotube diameters shrinking from some 1.4 to 0.4nm. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that such surface reconstruction and size reduction occurred via dangling-bond saturation, thus forming non-hexagonal rings and 5-7 defects in the lattice. Non-uniform atom removal resulted in inhomogeneous tube deformation and local necking, and the formation of linear atomic C chains in the nanotube body.

P.M.Ajayan, V.Ravikumar, J.C.Charlier: Physical Review Letters, 1998, 81[7], 1437-40