Analysis of fracture nucleation in carbon nanotubes through atomistic-based continuum theory

The elastic modulus and fracturing of single-wall carbon nanotubes are studied through an atomistic-based continuum theory. The interatomic potential used is a modified Morse potential function. The Young’s modulus that is predicted agrees well with prior experimental results and the results of atomistic studies. The fracture strain that is predicted also agrees well with the results of prior atomistic studies, but is a little higher than the experimental results. The results show that the fracture strain and fracture strength are moderate, dependent on the chirality of the carbon nanotubes.

Figure 1

A schematic diagram of the atomic structure of a carbon nanotube within the tube surface.

Figure 2

(Color online) Bifurcation strain for zigzag single-wall carbon nanotubes.

Figure 3

(Color online) Bifurcation strain for armchair single-wall carbon nanotubes.

Figure 4

(Color online) Bifurcation strain for chiral single-wall carbon nanotubes with ${\phi }_0=10°$.

Figure 5

(Color online) Bifurcation strain for chiral single-wall carbon nanotubes with ${\phi }_0=20°$.