Influence of filling atoms on radial collapse and elasticity of carbon nanotubes under hydrostatic pressure

Flexible actuator by electric bending of saline solution-filled carbon nanotubes

“…After that, a compound electrical field composed of axial component of E 1 = 1.0 V Å −1 and lateral component of E 2 in range of 0.00-0.30 V Å −1 is applied to induce the bending behavior of the saline solution-filled CNTs, and the applied electric intensity can be attainable in experiments [30]. We used an electric field intensity of 1.0 V Å −1 in the axial direction, and such a force can elongate (12,12) CNTs with a length of 130 Å by about 2.05 Å (see supplementary information, section 1 available online at stacks.iop.org/JPhysD/55/215301/mmedia), and a small force can even induce more obvious bending deflection attributed to the weak bending rigidity of CNTs [31,32]. The bending deflection of the saline solution-filled CNTs is therefore occurred and becomes stable after the equilibrium time of 0.4 ns, the last 0.1 ns is taken for data collection.…”

“…Similarly, polymerfilled CNTs can strengthen the radial mechanical properties of CNTs due to the π-π stacking interaction between polymer and CNTs [11]. Furthermore, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation shows that filled argon (Ar) and silicon (Si) atoms can effectively improve the resistance to high pressure and radial elasticity of CNTs attribute to the strong repulsive force from the filled atoms [12]. In addition, CH 4 and Ne can also be filled in CNTs, the buckling force of filled CNTs can be larger than that of unfilled CNTs, and the buckling force increases with the density of the filling material [13].…”