Fabrication of single-walled carbon nanohorns containing iodine and cesium

Iodine and cesium atoms were encapsulated in single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs). Atom encapsulation was carried out with sequential plasma aided procedures which consisted of opening SWCNH tips with an oxygen plasma, atom insertion in an iodine-mixed or cesium-mixed argon plasma, and closing the open tip in an argon plasma. Results reveal that oxidation plays a role in the tip opening procedure, and capillary forces are the driving force for the permeation of the atoms through the open tip of the SWCNHs. The open tip of the atom inserted SWCNH can be closed under the ion irradiation. It demonstrated the fabrication process of encapsulating atoms in SWCNH by using the sequential plasma assisted processes.