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

Abstract

Elastic properties of metal nanowires in a transverse electric field have been investigatedusing molecular dynamics simulations and classical electrostatics theory. The negativepressure on the surfaces stemming from the transverse electric field modifies the Young’smodulus and Poisson’s ratio of nanowires significantly. The simulation results reveal thedecrease in Young’s modulus and the increase in Poisson’s ratio as a result of the negativepressure. With the increase of the applied voltage and decreasing the distancebetween the nanowire and the ground plane, the electromechanical coupling effect onelastic properties of nanowires becomes more remarkable. The relative change ofelastic properties is also strongly dependent on the diameter of nanowires. Thepresent results are useful in the design of nanoelectromechanical systems andthe measurement of mechanical properties of one-dimensional nanostructures.