A molecular mechanics approach for analyzing tensile nonlinear deformation behavior of single-walled carbon nanotubes

In this paper, by capturing the atomic information and reflecting the behaviour governed by the nonlinear potential function, an analytical molecular mechanics approach is proposed. A constitutive relation for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT’s) is established to describe the nonlinear stress-strain curve of SWCNT’s and to predict both the elastic properties and breaking strain of SWCNT’s during tensile deformation. An analysis based on the virtual internal bond (VIB) model proposed by P. Zhang et al. is also presented for comparison. The results indicate that the proposed molecular mechanics approach is indeed an acceptable analytical method for analyzing the mechanical behavior of SWCNT’s. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10121202, 90305015 and 10328203), the Key Grant Project of Chinese Ministry of Education (0306) and the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (HKU 7195/04E).     

Ag/CNT‐catalyzed hydroamination of activated alkynes with aromatic amines

As a nanoparticle support material, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) provide a certain potential activation of catalysis in heterogeneous catalytic organic reactions. Herein, an efficient Ag/CNT‐catalyzed synthesis of enamines via hydroamination of activated alkynes with aromatic amines has been described. This catalyst still retains catalytic activity after being recycled and reused three times. In addition, it represents a green and environmentally friendly process for preparation of enamines. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A voltage-controlled chaotic oscillator based on carbon nanotube field-effect transistor for low-power embedded systems

This paper presents a compact and low-power-based discrete-time chaotic oscillator based on a carbon nanotube field-effect transistor implemented using Wong and Deng＇s well-known model. The chaotic circuit is composed of a nonlinear circuit that creates an adjustable chaos map, two sample and hold cells for capture and delay functions, and a voltage shifter that works as a buffer and adjusts the output voltage for feedback. The operation of the chaotic circuit is verified with the SPICE software package, which uses a supply voltage of 0.9 V at a frequency of 20 kHz. The time series, frequency spectra, transitions in phase space, sensitivity with the initial condition diagrams, and bifurcation phenomena are presented. The main advantage of this circuit is that its chaotic signal can be generated while dissipating approximately 7.8 μW of power, making it suitable for embedded systems where many chaos-signal generators are required on a single chip.     

氮化硼纳米管阵列储氢的计算机模拟

采用巨正则蒙特卡罗方法模拟常温、中等压强下单壁氮化硼纳米管阵列的物理吸附储氢,重点研究压强、纳米管阵列的管径和管间距对单壁氮化硼纳米管阵列物理吸附储氢的影响.计算结果表明,氮化硼纳米管阵列的储氢性能明显优于碳纳米管阵列,在常温和中等压强下的物理吸附储氢量(质量百分数)可以达到和超过美国能源部提出的商业标准.并给出相应的理论解释.     

Strain rate effects on compressive behavior of covalently bonded CNT networks

In this study, strain rate effects on the compressive mechanical properties of randomly structured carbon nanotube (CNT) networks were examined. For this purpose, three-dimensional atomistic models of CNT networks with covalently-bonded junctions were generated. After that, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of compressive loading were performed at five different strain rates to investigate the basic deformation characteristic mechanisms of CNT networks and determine the effect of strain rate on stress–strain curves. The simulation results showed that the strain rate of compressive loading increases, so that a higher resistance of specimens to deformation is observed. Furthermore, the local deformation characteristics of CNT segments, which are mainly driven by bending and buckling modes, and their prevalence are strongly affected by the deformation rate. It was also observed that CNT networks have superior features to metal foams such as metal matrix syntactic foams (MMSFs) and porous sintered fiber metals (PSFMs) in terms of energy absorbing capabilities.     

Effects of oxygen-containing defect complex on the electronic structures and transport properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes

The electronic structures and transport properties of (10,0)$(10,0)$ single-walled carbon nanotube ((10,0)$(10,0)$ (SWNT)) with oxygen-containing defect complex are investigated using density functional theory in combination with nonequilibrium Green?s function method. The complex delocalizes the local states of (10,0)$(10,0)$ SWNT induced by mono- and di-vacancy but strengthens the localization of the states induced by the Stone–Wales defect. As a result, the complex partially restores the transport properties of (10,0)$(10,0)$ SWNT with vacancies, but reduces the transmission of (10,0)$(10,0)$ SWNT with Stone–Wales defect. However, the oxygen-containing defect complex only slightly influences the transmission gap and threshold voltage of the system.     

Induced electric fields and plasmonic interactions between a metallic nanotube and a thin metallic film

We have numerically simulated the induced electric fields and the plasmonic interactions of a metallic nanotube near a thin metallic film. Our study shows that the energies and intensities of the plasmon resonances depend strongly on the aspect ratio (the ratio of the inner to outer radius) of the nanotube as well as the separation between the center of the nanotube and the upper surface of the metallic film and the thickness of the film. The enhancement of the induced electric field of this system reaches ...     

Aerosol generation and measurement of multi-wall carbon nanotubes

Mass production of some kinds of carbon nanotubes (CNT) is now imminent, but little is known about the risk associated with their exposure. It is important to assess the propensity of the CNT to release particles into air for its risk assessment. In this study, we conducted aerosolization of a multi-walled CNT (MWCNT) to assess several aerosol measuring instruments. A Palas RBG-1000 aerosol generator applied mechanical stress to the MWCNT by a rotating brush at feed rates ranging from 2 to 20 mm/h, which the MWCNT was fed to a two-component fluidized bed. The fluidized bed aerosol generator was used to disperse the MWCNT aerosol once more. We monitored the generated MWCNT aerosol concentrations based on number, area, and mass using a condensation particle counter and nanoparticle surface area monitor. Also we quantified carbon mass in MWCNT aerosol samples by a carbon monitor. The shape of aerosolized MWCNT fibers was observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The MWCNT was well dispersed by our system. We found isolated MWCNT fibers in the aerosols by SEM and the count median lengths of MWCNT fibers were 4–6 μm. The MWCNT was quantified by the carbon monitor with a modified condition based on the NIOSH analytical manual. The MWCNT aerosol concentration (EC mass base) was 4 mg/m³ at 2 mm/h in this study.     

The effect of pH on synthesizing Ni-decorated MWCNTs and its application for Sn-58Bi solder

Nickel-decorated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Ni-MWCNTs) were synthesized using a colloidal method and an electroless plating method to form Ni nanoparticles on the surface of MWCNTs. The Ni electroless plating process was optimized with solutions at various pH (5, 6, 7, and 8) levels. The Ni-MWCNTs fabricated at pH 7 show the most stable Ni nanoparticles on the surface of the MWNCTs. After optimization of the Ni plating process, the Ni-MWCNTs/Sn-58Bi composite solder were fabricated with varying contents of (0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 wt%) Ni-MWCNTs. The experimental results show that Ni-MWCNTs enhance the mechanical properties of Sn-58Bi solder. The shear strength of Sn-58Bi solder improves by about 14% with 0.1 wt% Ni-MWCNTs. Furthermore, the microstructure evolution after a high temperature storage test shows that Ni-MWCNTs have an effect on grain refining and interrupt growth of the Intermetallic compound layer. The distribution of Ni-MWCNTs could be recognized with the results of EPMA.     

Modeling and simulation of vibrational breathing-like modes in individual multiwalled carbon nanotubes

We study the collective vibrational breathing modes in the Raman spectrum of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MCNTs). First, a bond polarization theory and the spectral moment's method (SMM) are used to calculate the non-resonant Raman frequencies of the breathing-like modes (BLMs) and the tangential-like ones (TLMs). Second, the Raman active modes of MCNTs are computed for different diameters and numbers of layers. The obtained low frequency modes in MCNTs can be identified to each single-walled carbon nanotubes. These modes that originate from the radial breathing ones of the individual walls are strongly coupled through the concentric tube–tube van der Waals interaction. The calculated BLMs in the low-frequency region are compared with the experimental Raman data obtained from other studies. Finally, special attention is given to the comparison with Raman data on MCNTs composed of six layers.