Carbon nanotubes synthesised in channels of AlPO4-5 single crystals: first X-ray scattering investigations

Following the synthesis of aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes in the channels of AlPO4-5 zeolite single crystals [Appl. Phys. Lett. 73 (1998) 2287], we present the first X-ray diffraction and diffuse scattering results. They can be analysed in terms of a partial filling of the zeolite channels by nanotubes with diameter around 4 إ. The possible selection of only one type of nanotube during the synthesis, due to the constraints imposed by the zeolite host, is discussed.