An approach to modelling and simulation of single-walled carbon nanocones for sensing applications

Abstract

In the present manuscript an approach to modelling and simulation of nanocones has been suggested for their use as sensing mediums. The vibrational behaviours of bridged and cantilever Single-Walled Carbon nanocones are modelled using three-dimensional elastic beams of carbon- carbon bonds and atomic masses. Also, the dynamic analysis of bridged and cantilever configurations of these nanocones with different disclination angles of 60°, 120°, 180°, and 240° is performed to evaluate the variation in stiffness with different configurations. The analysis also exhibits the effect of change in the length of nanocones on the vibrational frequencies. For the said purpose a mass equivalent to a carbon atom has been added at the nodes. It is observed that increasing side length of a Single-Walled Carbon nanocones with a constant apex angle results in a reduction in the fundamental frequency. It is also clear from the results that Single-Walled Carbon nanocones with larger apex angles exhibit smaller values of fundamental frequencies. The results suggest that smaller lengths of nanocones are better candidates for sensing applications as they exhibit substantial change in the fundamental frequencies. It can be stated that with higher number of bonds and atoms Single-Walled Carbon nanocones undergoes substantial bending with large declination angle which can be considered as an important finding.