Molecular dynamics study of the mechanics of metal nanowires at finite temperature

Three-dimensional molecular dynamics simulations for mechanical properties of copper nanowires at finite temperatures were conducted with the Embedded-atom method (EAM). The stable free-relaxation state was simulated for a rectangular cross-section copper nanowire. The stress–strain curve under extension loading, elastic modulus, yielding strength and plastic deformation were studied. The results demonstrate that the strain-rate scale for nanowire is different from that for the bulk, and an explanation is presented. The dislocation movements corresponding to the plastic deformation are clearly depicted through transient atomic images. The necking and break-up phenomena are observed. This study can give more fundamental understanding of nanoscale machines from atomistic motions and contribute to the design, manufacture and manipulation of nano-devices.     

Molecular dynamics study on mechanics of metal nanowire

The new concept of using nanowires as building blocks for logic and memory circuits makes it very necessary to fully understand the mechanical behaviors of these nanowires. Embedded-atom method is employed to carry out three-dimensional molecular dynamics simulations of the mechanical properties of rectangular cross-section copper nanowire. A stable free-relaxation state and the stress–strain relation of nanowire under extension are obtained. The elastic modulus, yielding strength and deformation are studied. The surface effect, size effect, and temperature effect on the extension property of metal nanowire are discussed in detail. The simulation results from our present work show that at nanoscale surface atoms play an important role on the mechanical behaviors of nano-structures. This study of mechanical properties of metal nanowires will be helpful to the design, manufacture and manipulation of nano-devices.     

Size and temperature effects on the fracture mechanisms of silicon nanowires: Molecular dynamics simulations

We present molecular dynamics simulations of [1 1 0]-oriented Si nanowires (NWs) under a constant strain rate in tension until failure, using the modified embedded-atom-method (MEAM) potential. The fracture behavior of the NWs depends on both temperature and NW diameter. For NWs of diameter larger than 4 nm, cleavage fracture on the transverse (1 1 0) plane are predominantly observed at temperatures below 1000 K. At higher temperatures, the same NWs shear extensively on inclined {1 1 1} planes prior to fracture, analogous to the brittle-to-ductile transition (BDT) in bulk Si. Surprisingly, NWs with diameter less than 4 nm fail by shear regardless of temperature. Detailed analysis reveals that cleavage fracture is initiated by the nucleation of a crack, while shear failure is initiated by the nucleation of a dislocation, both from the surface. While dislocation mobility is believed to be the controlling factor of BDT in bulk Si, our analysis showed that the change of failure mechanism in Si NWs with decreasing diameters is nucleation controlled. Our results are compared with a recent in situ tensile experiment of Si NWs showing ductile failure at room temperature.     

Molecular dynamics study of the liquid-vapor interface of lithium bromide aqueous solutions

The molecular dynamics simulations of the liquid–vapor interface of LiBr aqueous solutions were carried out to investigate the structural and thermophysical properties. As concerns the structural properties, the results of molecular dynamics simulation show that the ions exist in the liquid apart from the surface and this tendency becomes strong as the solute concentration is lowered. This phenomenon is due to the desorption of ion. The calculated values such as density or surface tension agree with experimental ones. As concerns thermophysical properties, the number of water molecules in the bulk gas decreases with an increase of the solute concentration. This result represents the depression of vapor pressure. In addition, in order to investigate the dynamic process of water vapor absorption into LiBr aqueous solution, the molecular dynamics simulation under non-equilibrium condition was carried out. The results show that when the solute concentration is low and the temperature is also low, almost all incident water molecules become trapped at the solution surface and then easily diffuse into the bulk liquid, and when the solute concentration is high and temperature is also high, most incident water molecules become trapped at the solution surface, and the sequent processes are very complicated. Received on 28 September 1998     

Molecular dynamics study of deformation and fracture of Bi-segregated copper bicrystals

The microprocesses of deformation and fracture of Bi-segregated copper bicrystals Σ33 ( ) 58.99°, Σ11 ( ) 50.48° and Σ9 ( ) 38.94° have been simulated by molecular dynamics in order to study the relationship between the grain boundary embrittlement (GBE) and grain boundary (GB) structure. It is shown that GBE is related to the segregated concentration and distribution of Bi atoms, while Bi segregation is related to the GB structure. Due to their different structures, the bicrystals Σ33, Σ11 and Σ9 show an increasing propensity for Bi segregated concentration. So under the action of external force, Σ33, Σ11 and Σ9 show transgranular ductile, intergranular tearing and intergranular brittle fracture modes, respectively. The subject supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and National Natural Science Foundation of China     

单晶与纳米多晶锡层裂的分子动力学研究

低熔点金属的层裂是目前延性金属动态断裂的基础科学问题之一。采用非平衡态分子动力学方法模拟了冲击压力在13.5～61.0 GPa下单晶和纳米多晶锡的经典层裂和微层裂过程。研究结果表明：在加载阶段,冲击速度不影响单晶模型中的波形演化规律,但影响纳米多晶模型中的波形演化规律,其中经典层裂中晶界滑移是影响应力波前沿宽度的重要因素;在单晶模型中,经典层裂和微层裂中孔洞成核位置位于高势能处;在纳米多晶模型中,经典层裂中的孔洞多在晶界（含三晶界交界处）处成核,并沿晶定向长大,产生沿晶断裂,而微层裂中孔洞在晶界和晶粒内部成核,导致沿晶断裂、晶内断裂和穿晶断裂;孔洞体积分数呈现指数增长,相同冲击速度下单晶和纳米多晶Sn孔洞体积分数变化规律一致;经典层裂中孔洞体积分数曲线的两个转折点分别表示孔洞成核与长大的过渡和材料从损伤到断裂的灾变性转变。     

Molecular dynamics study of solute strengthening in Al/Mg alloys

The strengthening of Al by Mg solute atoms is investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) studies of single dislocations moving through a field of randomly placed solutes. The MD method permits explicit treatment of “core” effects, dislocation pinning and deceleration, and dislocation unpinning by thermal activation, all under an applied load. Choice of an appropriate MD simulation cell size is assessed using analytic concepts developed by Labusch. The interaction energy of a single Mg atom with straight edge and screw dislocations is computed and compared with continuum models. Using the single Mg energies, a one-dimensional energy landscape for the motion of a straight edge dislocation through a random field of Mg solutes is computed. The minima in this landscape match well with those found in the MD simulations at zero temperature. The stress to unpin a straight edge dislocation trapped in a local energy minimum generated by the solutes is then predicted semi-analytically using the energy landscape, and good agreement is obtained with the MD results. At temperatures of 300 and 500 K, the thermally activated rate of unpinning vs. stress and temperature is calculated semi-analytically, and agreement with the full MD results is again obtained with the fitting of a single attempt frequency in a transition state model. The agreement of the semi-analytical models provides a basis for calculating yield stress vs. strain rate and temperature, resulting from statistical pinning, for the case of non-interacting dislocations on a single slip system, and for extending the analysis to study dynamic strain aging effects resulting from diffusion of Mg atoms around a pinned dislocation.     

Molecular dynamics simulation study of microstructure evolution during cyclic martensitic transformations

Shape memory alloys (SMA) exhibit a number of features which are not easily explained by equilibrium thermodynamics, including hysteresis in the phase transformation and “reverse” shape memory in the high symmetry phase. Processing can change these features: repeated cycling can “train” the reverse shape memory effect, while changing the amount of hysteresis and other functional properties. These effects are likely to be due to formations of localised defects and these can be studied by atomistic methods. Here we present a molecular dynamics simulation study of such behaviour employing a two-dimensional, binary Lennard-Jones model. Our atomistic model exhibits a symmetry breaking, displacive phase transition from a high temperature, entropically stabilised, austenite-like phase to a low temperature martensite-like phase. The simulations show transformations in this model material proceed by non-diffusive nucleation and growth processes and produce distinct microstructures. We observe the generation of persistent lattice defects during forward-and-reverse transformations which serve as nucleation centres in subsequent transformation processes. These defects interfere the temporal and spatial progression of transformations and thereby affect subsequent product morphologies. During cyclic transformations we observe accumulations of lattice defects so as to establish new microstructural elements which represent a memory of the previous morphologies. These new elements are self-organised and they provide a basis of the reversible shape memory effect in the model material.     

Mechanical deformations of carbon nanorings: a study by molecular dynamics and nonlocal continuum mechanics

Understanding of the elastic deformation behaviours of recently synthesised carbon nanorings (CNRs) is crucial in guiding their future applications, because the strain engineering provides an efficient means to modify their physical and chemical properties. In this paper, by using molecular dynamics simulations and nonlocal continuum mechanics models, we study the elastic deformations of CNRs with three different molecular structures, i.e., cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs), [4]cyclochrysenylenes and cyclacenes. Our results show that, compared to other two types of CNRs, CPPs have the smallest mechanical stiffness, which is attributed to the influence of numerous weak connecting carbon–carbon bonds existing between their component benzene rings. In addition to the molecular structure, the elastic deformation behaviours of CNRs are also found to strongly depend on the size. Specifically, the compressive stiffness of CNRs is found to increase as their size (radius) decreases. Meanwhile, the size reduction of CNRs can trigger the anisotropy of their compressive stiffness and can also aggravate the influence of small-scale effects on their elastic deformation behaviours, which can significantly reduce the compressive stiffness.

     

Method of molecular dynamics in mechanics of deformable solids

The basic principles of the method of molecular dynamics are analyzed. Symplectic difference schemes for the numerical solution of molecular dynamics equations are considered. Stability is studied, and the errors in the energy conservation law, which are induced by using these schemes, are estimated. Equations of mechanics of continuous media are derived by means of averaging over the volume of an atomic system. Expressions for the stress tensor are obtained by using the virial principle and the method of averaging over the volume. The principles of construction of EAM and MEAM potentials of atomic interaction in crystals are analyzed. Two problems of fracture of copper-molybdenum composites are solved by the method of molecular dynamics.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of DFZ

Dislocation emission from the crack tip in copper under mode II loading is simulated with molecular dynamics method. After 26 partial dislocations are emitted and then relaxed to reach the equilibrium under the constant displacement, the double pile-ups (including an inverse pile-up and a pile-up) are formed. i.e., the first dislocation is piled up before the obstruction, and the last dislocation is piled up ahead of the crack tip. These results conform to the TEM observations. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China     

Multibody dynamics. A rapidly developing field of applied mechanics

Summary Using the principle of virtual power nonlinear equations of motion are developed for arbitrary systems of rigid bodies interconnected by kinematical joints, springs, dampers and active force elements. An essential system parameter is the so-called path matrix which describes the system topology. A computer program generates the equations in symbolical form for subsequent numerical simulations of dynamical system behaviour. The program finds applications in various branches of industry as well as in scientific research.

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Sommario Usando il principio delle potenze virtuali si sviluppano equazioni nonlineari di moto per sistemi arbitrari di corpi rigidi interconnessi con giunti cinematici, molle, ammortizzatori ed elementi che esercitano forze attive. Un parametro essenziale del sistema è la cosiddetta matrice del cammino che descrive la topologia del sistema. Un programma di calcolo genera le equazioni in forma simbolica per successive simulazioni numeriche del comportamento del sistema dinamico. Il programma trova applicazioni sia in vari settori dell'industria sia nella ricerca scientifica.

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Paper presented at the 8th National Congress of AIMETA Turin, September 29–October 3, 1986 (invited lecture).     

Molecular dynamics simulation of polycrystalline copper

An approach for molecular dynamics simulation of the formation of polycrystalline materials from a melt during its cooling is proposed. Atomic configurations of copper corresponding to polycrystals with the mean grain size from 2 to 16 nm are obtained. Isothermal uniaxial tension and compression of these polycrystals is studied by the molecular dynamics method. For the mean grain size of polycrystalline copper being smaller than 10 nm, it is shown that Young’s modulus and yield stress decrease as the grain size decreases. Shock adiabats for polycrystalline copper are constructed. For a material with the grain size approximately equal to 2 nm, the temperature behind the shock wave front is demonstrated to be 10% higher than that in a polycrystal with the grain size greater than 10 nm. Molecular dynamics calculations predict the presence of copper with a body-centered cubic lattice behind the shock wave front at pressures ranging from 100 to 200 GPa.     

Molecular dynamics study of size, temperature and rate dependent thermomechanical properties of copper nanofilms

Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to study the thermomechanical properties of copper nanofilms at different temperatures and extremely-high loading rates. The results show a drastic temperature softening effect on the film strength and modulus. The increase of strain rate could result in a much higher strength while the modulus is relatively less affected. It is shown, based on the stress results, that the observed “smaller is softer” and “smaller is stronger” behaviors of nanofilms might be due to the surface plasticity and the volumetric dislocations, respectively. It is also found that the thinner a nanofilm, the smaller the thermal expansion coefficient. The present work reveals that the quasistatic thermomechanical properties of bulk copper at room temperature might be inadequate for the continuum-based study of thermomechanical response of copper nanofilms due to ultrafast laser heating.     

原子尺度摩擦行为的分子动力学模拟

应用大规模分子动力学方法,模拟了具有原子级光滑和原子级粗糙形貌的刚性球形探头与弹性平面基体的干摩擦行为,研究了无/有粘附条件下的载荷与摩擦力、载荷与真实接触面积,以及摩擦力与真实接触面积之间的关系,对纳米尺度下的摩擦行为规律进行了分析.几种系统的真实接触面积-载荷关系都与相应的连续力学接触模型定性的一致,它们分别是Hertz光滑表面接触模型、Greenwood-Williamson粗糙表面接触模型和Mau-gis Dugdale粘着接触模型.无论是由光滑表面还是粗糙表面构成的摩擦系统,在无粘附条件下摩擦力与载荷成正比,而摩擦力与真实接触面积之间没有一个简单的关系;在粘附条件下摩擦力与真实接触面积成正比,而摩擦力与载荷之间表现为Maugis Dugdale模型预测的亚线性关系.研究表明,当表面作用从无粘附到粘附时,控制摩擦力的决定因素从载荷转变为接触面积,摩擦行为从载荷控制摩擦转变为粘着控制摩擦.     

Zigzag carbon nanotubes—Molecular/structural mechanics and the finite element method

This paper discusses in details the relation between the bond bending stiffness used in molecular mechanics and the bending stiffness used in structural mechanics for zigzag carbon nanotubes (CNTs).Recent publications assumed the structural bending stiffness EI/a to be a constant and set it equal to the molecular bond bending stiffness C. By developing a closed form expression for the deformation of zigzag CNTs under simple tension, we suggest that the relation between EI/a and C is more complex. It actually depends on the bond bending stiffness C, the torsional angle φ and the lattice translational index n. In the limit of an infinite tube radius, which represents a graphene sheet, EI/a tends to C/2. Numerical simulations are also presented that validate the results.     

Molecular dynamics simulation of impact response of buckyballs

The dynamic impact responses of buckyballs (from C₆₀ to C₇₂₀) are investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. With respect to different buckling characteristics, the fullerenes may be divided into three categories. Upon the ricochet of the impactor, the deformation of the smaller buckyballs fully recovers whereas the inverted buckling morphology of the larger buckyballs remains. Thus, energy dissipation is more prominent in the larger fullerenes, and the percentage of dissipated energy is also larger upon higher speed impact. The present study may provide some preliminary insights on employing fullerenes as advanced energy dissipation materials.