Mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Molecular mechanics calculations for the in-place stiffness, shear modulus, and bending rigidity of both single- and double-walled carbon nanotubes are reported by calculating the strain energy of carbon nanotubes and graphite sheets subject to various types of loading. Elastic rod and plate theories are employed to link the material properties of carbon nanotubes directly to the molecular mechanics calculations. The length dependence of these material properties is reported and investigated via nonlocal elasticity theory. In addition, the van der Waals effect on the differences between the material properties of double- and single-walled carbon nanotubes is also examined. The diminishment of such differences in large sizes of carbon nanotubes is revealed from the simulations. © 2009 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.