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.
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15 April 2011
Research Article|
April 20 2011
Aspect ratio dependent buckling mode transition in single-walled carbon nanotubes under compression
Jeremy Feliciano;
Jeremy Feliciano
1Department of Physics and High Pressure Science and Engineering Center,
University of Nevada
, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154, USA
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Chun Tang;
Chun Tang
a)
1Department of Physics and High Pressure Science and Engineering Center,
University of Nevada
, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154, USA
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Yingyan Zhang;
Yingyan Zhang
2School of Engineering,
University of Western Sydney
, Penrith South DC, NSW, Australia
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Changfeng Chen
Changfeng Chen
b)
1Department of Physics and High Pressure Science and Engineering Center,
University of Nevada
, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154, USA
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a)
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Electronic mail: tangchun@physics.unlv.edu.
b)
Electronic mail: chen@physics.unlv.edu.
J. Appl. Phys. 109, 084323 (2011)
Article history
Received:
December 14 2010
Accepted:
February 19 2011
Citation
Jeremy Feliciano, Chun Tang, Yingyan Zhang, Changfeng Chen; Aspect ratio dependent buckling mode transition in single-walled carbon nanotubes under compression. J. Appl. Phys. 15 April 2011; 109 (8): 084323. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3569616
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