Role of Interlayer Interaction in the Mechanical Properties of a Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube and a Singlewalled Carbon Nanotube Bundle

摘要

Nowadays carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have earned an important place in various fields of science and technology. The presence of the CNT fibers in the matrix can enhance the strength and quality of the composite materials to a large extent. So the exact knowledge of the mechanical properties of the fibers is very much important in building up of composite materials for specific use. As the CNTs have a natural tendency to form bundles or ropes or appear in the form of MWCNTs, we have studied the mechanical characteristics of a four membered single- wall carbon nanotube bundle and a four walled MWCNT in defect free condition and also with several Stone-Wales defects introduced into them. The interlayer interaction in the two cases behaves differently giving different nature of tensile and compressive properties. Their breaking and buckling modes are also different.