Stability analysis of carbon nanotubes under electric fields and compressive loading

Abstract

The mechanical stability of conductive, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) under applied electric field and compressive loading is investigated. The distribution of electric charges on the nanotube surface is determined by employing a method based on the classical electrostatic theory. For mechanical stability analysis, a hybrid atomistic-structural element is proposed, which takes into account the nonlinear features of the stability. Nonlinear stability analysis based on an iterative solution procedure is used to determine the buckling force. The coupling between electrical and mechanical models is accomplished by adding Coulomb interactions to the mechanical model. The results show that in the presence of uniform axial electric fields, stability of SWCNTs under compressive axial loading increases. Also, the effects of CNT geometry on the mechanical stability in the presence of electric fields are studied and the dependence of the increase in the stability of the nanotube on length and diameter is shown.