Radial Waves Propagation in a Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube with Surface Irregularity

Abstract

This work is an attempt to study the propagation of radial waves in an irregular single-walled carbon nanotube (ISWCNT). The characteristics equation of phase velocity of radial waves is derived using cylindrical thin shell theory. Taking into account the effects of the surface irregularity, dispersion curves are plotted and the effectiveness of surface irregularity is confirmed by comparing the obtained numerical results with those in cases of propagation of radial waves in uniform nanotube. The results turn out that, the phase velocity of radial waves is dependent on the surface irregularity and it is increasing with an increase of surface irregularity parameter. To the author best knowledge, propagation of radial waves in the irregular single-walled carbon nanotubes has not yet been studied, and the present work is an attempt to find out the dispersion relation of radial waves in ISWCNTs. Finally, the present results may serve as useful references for the application and the design of nano oscillators and nanodevices, in which single-walled carbon nanotubes act as the most prevalent nanocomposite structural element.