Mechanochemically induced Sp3-bond-associated reconstruction of single-wall carbon nanohorns

Single-wall carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs) and partially oxidized SWCNHs (ox-SWCNHs) were mechanochemically treated for the elucidation of their unique chemical bonding state. The mechanochemical treatment promoted the transformation from Sp(2) to Sp(3) bonding from XPS, leading to an increase and decrease in the micropore volume for SWCNHs and ox-SWCNHs, respectively. The changes in the micropore volume and the electrical conductivity responses on CO2 adsorption indicate the occurrence of tubulite-to-tubulite reconstruction in SWCNH through unstable Sp(3) bonding.