Atomistic simulation of electrical enhanced nanowelding of carbon nanotube to metal

Abstract

Electrical enhanced nanowelding of carbon nanotube (CNT) to metal is investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. It is found that attractions exerted by the charges can facilitate wetting of metal atoms with poor wetting ability onto the CNT surface at a much lower temperature, during which the CNT nailing into the semi molten metal bulk forms a new stable CNT---metal hybrid structure and therefore the electrical enhanced nanowelding is an irreversible process in case of removing the charges. Also, surface charges which induce great modification of CNT---metal interfacial configuration and lattice distortion can effectively facilitate the surface melting. As a result, more free metal atoms are involved in the welding.