Effects of carbon nanotube structures on mechanical properties

• Published in: Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Materials science & processing, 2004-06, Vol.79 (1), p.117-124
• Main Authors: NATSUKI, T, TANTRAKARN, K, ENDO, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Elastic modulus; Exact sciences and technology; Mathematical models; Mechanical and acoustical properties of condensed matter; Mechanical properties; Modulus of elasticity; Multi wall carbon nanotubes; Nanostructure; Physics; Single wall carbon nanotubes; Tubes
• ISSN: 0947-8396; 1432-0630
• DOI: 10.1007/s00339-003-2492-y

This paper describes a structural mechanics approach to modelling the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Based on a model of truss structures linked by inter-atomic potentials, a closed-form elastic solution is obtained to predict the mechanical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Moreover, the elastic modulus of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) is also predicted for a group of the above mentioned SWNTs with uniform interval spacing. Following the structural mechanics approach, the elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, and the deformation behaviors of SWNTs were investigated as a function of the nanotube size and structure. Poisson's ratio of SWNTs shows a chirality dependence, while the elastic modulus is insensitive to the chirality. The disposition of the strain energy of bonds shows quite a difference between the zigzag and armchair tubes subjected to axial loading. A zigzag tube is predicted to have a lower elongation property than an armchair tube.