Molecular dynamics simulation of the elastic properties of metal nanowires in a transverse electric field

摘要

Elastic properties of metal nanowires in a transverse electric field have been investigated using molecular dynamics simulations and classical electrostatics theory. The negative pressure on the surfaces stemming from the transverse electric field modifies the Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of nanowires significantly. The simulation results reveal the decrease in Young's modulus and the increase in Poisson's ratio as a result of the negative pressure. With the increase of the applied voltage and decreasing the distance between the nanowire and the ground plane, the electromechanical coupling effect on elastic properties of nanowires becomes more remarkable. The relative change of elastic properties is also strongly dependent on the diameter of nanowires. The present results are useful in the design of nanoelectromechanical systems and the measurement of mechanical properties of one-dimensional nanostructures.