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Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) is widely used to identify elemental compositions of materials studied by microscopy. We demonstrate that the sensitivity and spatial resolution of EELS can be extended to the single-atom limit. A chemical map for gadolinium (Gd) clearly reveals the distribution of Gd atoms inside a single chain of metallofullerene molecules (Gd@C 82 ) generated within a single-wall carbon nanotube. This characterization technique thus provides the “eyes” to see and identify individual atoms in nanostructures. It is likely to find broad application in nanoscale science and technology research.

Composite sheets and nanotubes of different morphologies containing carbon, boron, and nitrogen were grown in the electric arc discharge between graphite cathodes and amorphous boron-filled graphite anodes in a nitrogen atmosphere. Concentration profiles derived from electron energy-loss line spectra show that boron and nitrogen are correlated in a one-to-one ratio; core energy-loss fine structures reveal small differences compared to pure hexagonal boron nitride. Boron and carbon are anticorrelated, suggesting the substitution of boron and nitrogen into the carbon network. Results indicate that singlephaase CyBxNx as well as separated domains (nanosize) of boron nitride in carbon networks may exist.

A simple technique is described here that produces aligned arrays of carbon nanotubes. The alignment method is based on cutting thin slices (50 to 200 nanometers) of a nanotube-polymer composite. With this parallel and well-separated configuration of nanotubes it should be possible to measure individual tube properties and to demonstrate applications. The results demonstrate the nature of rheology, on nanometer scales, in composite media and flow-induced anisotropy produced by the cutting process. The fact that nanotubes do not break and are straightened after the cutting process also suggests that they have excellent mechanical properties.