Work functions of pristine and alkali-metal intercalated carbon nanotubes and bundles

Abstract

The work functions (WF) of single-walled carbon nanotubes and bundles are studied using first principles methods. For individual metallic tubes, the WF is independent of the chirality and increase slightly with tube diameter. For semiconducting tubes, the WF (as defined by the HOMO energy) decreases rapidly. The WF of nanotube bundles ($\sim$ 5 eV) shows no clear dependence on the tube size and chirality, slightly higher than individual tubes. Calculations on finite tubes show no substantial difference in the tube end and the side wall. Upon alkali-metal intercalation, the WF decreases dramatically and the electronic states near the Fermi level are significantly modified. The metallic and semiconducting nanotubes bundles become indistinguishable.