HRTEM surface characterisation of nano-scale solid state materials

Surface structures of various nanoscale materials were studied in profile by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. These materials include carbon nanofibres containing polymerized carbon nanobells, boron carbonitride nanofibres with a cactus-like surface structure, carbon nanotubes with polymer coating, mesoporous molecular sieves with a paintbrush-like surface and some nanoparticle specimens with interesting surfaces. The formation mechanisms of the surface structures and the surface-related properties of the materials also are discussed. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.