Contact configuration modification at carbon nanotube-metal interface during nanowelding

Abstract

Contact configuration modification at carbon nanotube (CNT)-metal interface during nanowelding is investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. It is found that the nanowelding could be accomplished at a temperature much lower than the melting point of the metal, during which a side contact structure and core filling nanowires form at the CNT-metal interface. Metal atoms prefer entering into the core to moving along the outer surface of the CNTs. Also, the filling of the metal atoms into the CNT can enhance the local melting of the metal at the interface, which would facilitate the metal atoms wetting on the outer walls and dramatically increasing the contact length.