Theoretical analysis of chirality and scale effects on critical bucklingload of zigzag triple walled carbon nanotubes under axial compression embedded in polymeric matrix

Abstract

Using the non-local elasticity theory, Timoshenko beam model is developed to study the non- local buckling of Triple-walled carbon nanotubes (TWCNTs) embedded in an elastic medium under axial compression. The chirality and small scale effects are considered. The effects of the surrounding elastic medium based on a Winkler model and van der Waals\'(vdW) forces between the inner and middle, also between the middle and outer nanotubes are taken into account. Considering the small-scale effects, the governing equilibrium equations are derived and the critical buckling loads under axial compression are obtained. The results show that the critical buckling load can be overestimated by the local beam model if the small-scale effect is overlooked for long nanotubes. In addition, significant dependence of the critical buckling loads on the chirality of zigzag carbon nanotube is confirmed. Furthermore, in order to estimate the impact of elastic medium on the non-local critical buckling load of TWCNTs under axial compression, the use of these findings are important in mechanical design considerations, improve and reinforcement of devices that use carbon nanotubes.