Aspect ratio dependent buckling mode transition in single-walled carbon nanotubes under compression

Jeremy Feliciano, Chun Tang, Yingyan Zhang, Changfeng Chen

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    44 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Using molecular dynamics simulations, we study axial compressive behavior of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with a wide range of aspect ratios (length to diameter ratio). It is shown that the difference in aspect ratio leads to distinct buckling modes in SWCNTs. Small-aspect-ratio SWCNTs primarily exhibit shell buckling; they switch to a column buckling mode with increasing aspect ratio. Further compression of the already column buckled large-aspect-ratio SWCNTs results in a shell buckling. This shell buckling mode is distinct from that of small-aspect-ratio SWCNTs in that it originates from the column buckling induced bending deformation. The transition strain from column buckling to shell buckling of large-aspect-ratio SWCNTs is predicted using an analytical expression. The underlying mechanism is discussed by analyzing the variation of C-C bond lengths and angles.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)084323-1-084323-5
    Number of pages5
    JournalJournal of Applied Physics
    Volume109
    Issue number8
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2011

    Keywords

    • bending
    • buckling (mechanics)
    • carbon
    • molecular dynamics
    • nanotubes

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