Molecular scale buckling mechanics in individual aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes on elastomeric substrates

Date
2008
Advisor
Instructor
Source Title
Nano Letters
Print ISSN
1530-6984
Electronic ISSN
1530-6992
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Volume
8
Issue
1
Pages
124 - 130
Language
English
Type
Article
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract

We have studied the scaling of controlled nonlinear buckling processes in materials with dimensions in the molecular range (i.e., ∼1 nm) through experimental and theoretical studies of buckling in individual single-wall carbon nanotubes on substrates of poly(dimethylsiloxane). The results show not only the ability to create and manipulate patterns of buckling at these molecular scales, but also, that analytical continuum mechanics theory can explain, quantitatively, all measurable aspects of this system. Inverse calculation applied to measurements of diameterdependent buckling wavelengths yields accurate values of the Young’s moduli of individual SWNTs. As an example of the value of this system beyond its use in this type of molecular scale metrology, we implement parallel arrays of buckled SWNTs as a class of mechanically stretchable conductor.

Course
Other identifiers
Book Title
Keywords
Young’s modulus, Thickness, Quantum mechanics, Carbon nanotubes, Substrates
Citation
Published Version (Please cite this version)