Insight into Geometry-Controlled Mechanical Properties of Spiral Carbon-Based Nanostructures

The spiral structures of carbon-based materials such as coiled carbon nanotube (CCNT) and graphene helicoid have attracted great attention for use in electrical and mechanical nanodevices. There are a couple of main reasons for this attitude such as striking properties and behavioral diversity with regard to the ever-increasing need for miniaturization of devices. In this research, using atomistic simulations, the effects of geometric parameters (e.g., cross-sectional shape, pitch angle, inner diameter, and outer diameter) on the mechanical properties of CCNT are studied. Interestingly, the results show that the mechanical properties (e.g., Young’s modulus, stretchability, etc.) have a heavy reliance on CCNTs’ geometric parameters. The stretching of the CCNT increases with the raising inner radius. Geometric changes affect the various stages that the CCNTs encounter during tensile and compression tests. The different mechanical behavior of various types of CCNTs leads to their diverse applications. Thus, these results can give an insight to design and develop new-generation nanodevices.