On the Stiffness of Carbon Nanotubes with Spiral Distortion

Abstract

Perfect and spiral configurations of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were modeled by a commercial finite element package and their tensile behavior was studied. Computational tests with cantilevered boundary conditions were performed to evaluate their Young's modulus. It was concluded that the existence of any imperfection, spiral shape in particular, in the structure of perfect CNTs results in a remarkable reduction in the stiffness. It was also revealed that the Young's modulus of perfect CNTs decreases by introducing spiral distortion.