A Review on Size‐Dependent Mechanical Properties of Nanowires

Abstract

The primary challenge to exploit the nanowire as a truly one‐dimensional building block in nanoscale devices is the clear incorporation of scale effects into the operational performance. Size‐dependent behavior in physical properties of nanowires is the subject of intense experimental and computational studies for more than two decades. In this review, the measurement techniques and computational approaches to study scale effects on mechanical properties of nanowires are reviewed for fcc metallic, silicon, and zinc oxide structures. Advantages and disadvantages of each measurement tool are summarized with data reported in the literature. A similar comparison is carried out for computational techniques. Contradictions in the literature are highlighted with an assessment of research needs and opportunities, among which the plastic behavior of gold nanowires and elastic properties of silicon nanowires can be primarily mentioned. Furthermore, challenges associated with the coupling of measurement methods and modeling approaches are summarized. Finally, points of agreement between experimental measurements and computational studies are discussed paving the way for the utilization of nanowires in future nanoscale devices.

Deformation and ductile fracture of nanocrystalline gold ultrathin nanoribbon: Width effect

“…Turning to the strength, it has been noted previously that in single crystalline nanowires, surface stress leads to an intrinsic compressive stress in the interior of nanowire and thus results in an enhancement of strength. 34 In our NC nanoribbon, the surface effect is weakened strongly by the GBs at edges due to grain slipping and dislocation motion. This opposite trend is similar to the behavior of NC nanorods.…”

Nanomechanical Characterization of Vertical Nanopillars Using an MEMS-SPM Nano-Bending Testing Platform

“…The quasi-static performance of the MEMS mechanical system has been numerically investigated with the help of finite element modelling (FEM). For the MEMS springs with a vertical thickness h of 50 µm, as illustrated in Figure 2a, the maximum in-plane stress of the MEMS suspending system under its maximum in-plane displacement (10 µm) amounts to about 30 MPa, which is far less than the fracture strength of single-crystal silicon (>10 GPa) [17]. The corresponding reaction force is found to be 124.8 µN, indicating the stiffness of the MEMS to be 12.5 N/m.…”

“…The uncertainty of the calibrated MEMS stiffness is U ( k MEMS ) = 4% [17]. The standard uncertainty for the determination of the curve slope S b is estimated at u ( S b ) ≈ 0.5%.…”

Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes-Based Sensors for Strain Sensing Applications

“…The conductive nanomaterials for flexible sensors can be broadly classified into two forms, namely carbon-based allotropes and metallic nanomaterials. These nanomaterials consist of various shapes like nanosheets [ 32 , 33 ], nanorods [ 34 , 35 ], nanoribbons [ 36 , 37 ], nanowires [ 38 , 39 ], and nanoparticles [ 40 , 41 ]. While the first category includes carbon nanotubes (CNTs) [ 42 , 43 , 44 ], graphene [ 45 , 46 , 47 ], and graphite [ 48 , 49 , 50 ], the second category primarily includes gold [ 51 , 52 , 53 ], silver [ 54 , 55 ], aluminum [ 56 , 57 ], and copper [ 58 , 59 ].…”