We have been able to change the dimensionality of carbon nanocarbons from 1D to 2D. The action of very high pressures on triple-walled carbon nanotubes lead first to their radial collapse, followed by the unzipping of the collapsed tubes and the formation of graphene nanoribbons. The investigation included the use of Raman spectroscopy, high resolution electron microscopy and atomistic molecular dynamics modelling. The study opens a new route for graphene production.

Results have been published in the journal Carbon with title “From high pressure radial collapse to graphene ribbon formation in triple-wall carbon nanotubes” thanks to a collaboration between the iLM (Lyon, France) with colleagues of Brazil, Korea and Japan.