Vitor R. Coluci

Molecular-dynamics simulations of carbon nanotubes as gigahertz oscillators.

Recently, Zheng and Jiang [Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 045503 (2002)]] have proposed that multiwalled carbon nanotubes could be the basis for a new generation of nano-oscillators in the several gigahertz range. In this Letter, we present the first molecular dynamics simulation for these systems. Different nanotube types were considered in order to verify the reliability of such devices as gigahertz oscillators. Our results show that these nano-oscillators are dynamically stable when the radii difference values between inner and outer tubes are of approximately 3.4 A. Frequencies as large as 38 GHz were observed, and the calculated force values are in good agreement with recent experimental investigations.

Sign Change of Poisson's Ratio for Carbon Nanotube Sheets

Most materials shrink laterally like a rubber band when stretched, so their Poissons ratios are positive. Likewise, most materials contract in all directions when hydrostatically compressed and decrease density when stretched, so they have positive linear compressibilities. We found that the in-plane Poissons ratio of carbon nanotube sheets (buckypaper) can be tuned from positive to negative by mixing single-walled and multiwalled nanotubes. Density-normalized sheet toughness, strength, and modulus were substantially increased by this mixing. A simple model predicts the sign and magnitude of Poissons ratio for buckypaper from the relative ease of nanofiber bending and stretch, and explains why the Poissons ratios of ordinary writing paper are positive and much larger. Theory also explains why the negative in-plane Poissons ratio is associated with a large positive Poissons ratio for the sheet thickness, and predicts that hydrostatic compression can produce biaxial sheet expansion. This tunability of Poissons ratio can be exploited in the design of sheet-derived composites, artificial muscles, gaskets, and chemical and mechanical sensors.

Gigahertz nanomechanical oscillators based on carbon nanotubes

We report molecular dynamics studies of carbon nanotubes as mechanical gigahertz oscillators. Our results show that different oscillatory regimes exist but that sustained oscillations are possible only when the radii difference values of the inner and outer tubes are . Frequencies as large as 87?GHz were obtained. Calculated force and frequency values are in good agreement with estimated data from recent experimental investigations.

New families of carbon nanotubes based on graphyne motifs

Electronic properties of proposed new families of carbon single walled nanotubes are investigated. These nanotubes, called graphynes, result from the elongation of covalent interconnections of graphite-based nanotubes by the introduction of yne groups. Analogous to ordinary nanotubes, armchair, zigzag and chiral graphyne nanotubes are possible. Tight-binding and ab initio density functional methods were used to predict the electronic properties of these unusual nanotubes. Of the three graphyne nanotube families analysed here, two provide metallic behaviour for armchair tubes and either metallic or semiconducting behaviour for zigzag nanotubes. For the other graphyne nanotube family investigated a diameter and chirality independent bandgap is predicted and a bandgap modulation study by structural distortions has been carried out for small longitudinal tube deformations. Interestingly, while the bandgap is insensitive to structure, the stress-induced bandgap changes can strongly depend both on the nanotube type and whether the strain is tensile or compressive.

Theoretical investigation of electromechanical effects for graphyne carbon nanotubes

We present a theoretical study of the electronic and mechanical properties of graphyne-based nanotubes (GNTs). These semiconducting nanotubes result from the elongation of one-third of the covalent interconnections of graphite-based nanotubes by the introduction of yne groups. The effect of charge injection on the dimensions of GNTs was investigated using tight-binding calculations. Low amounts of electron injection are predicted to cause qualitatively different responses for armchair and zigzag graphyne nanotubes. Although the behavior is qualitatively similar to the usual carbon nanotubes, the charge-induced strains are predicted to be smaller for the GNTs than for ordinary single walled carbon nanotubes.

Modeling the auxetic transition for carbon nanotube sheets

A simple model is developed to predict the complex mechanical properties of carbon nanotube sheets (buckypaper) [Hall et al., Science 320 504 (2008)]. Fabricated using a similar method to that deployed for making writing paper, these buckypapers can have in-plane Poisson’s ratios changed from positive to negative, becoming auxetic, as multiwalled carbon nanotubes are increasingly mixed with single-walled carbon nanotubes. Essential structural features of the buckypapers are incorporated into the model: isotropic in-plane mechanical properties, nanotubes preferentially oriented in the sheet plane, and freedom to undergo stress-induced elongation by both angle and length changes. The expressions derived for the Poisson’s ratios enabled quantitative prediction of both observed properties and remarkable new properties obtainable by structural modication.

Synthetic melanin films : Assembling mechanisms, scaling behavior, and structural properties

In this work we report on the surface characterization of melanin thin films prepared using both water-based and organic solvent-based melanin syntheses. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis of these films suggests that the organic solvent synthesis provides relatively planar basic melanin structures; these basic structures generate surface steps with height in the range of 2–3nm and small tendency to form larger aggregates. The scaling properties obtained from the AFM data were used to infer the assembling mechanisms of these thin films which depend on the solvent used for melanin synthesis. The behavior observed in organic solvent-based melanin suggests a diffusion-limited aggregation process. Thus films with good adhesion to the substrate and smoother morphologies than water-prepared melanin films are obtained. Electronic structure calculations using a conductorlike screening model were also performed in order to elucidate the microscopic processes of thin film formation. Our results suggest that the...

Chaotic signature in the motion of coupled carbon nanotube oscillators

The motion of coupled oscillators based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes is studied using rigid-body dynamics simulations. The results show the existence of chaotic and regular behaviours for a given total energy, indicating the manifestation of chaos in nanoscaled mechanical systems based on carbon nanotube oscillators. Different regular motions are observed for different total energies, and they can be obtained by appropriately choosing the initial conditions. This possibility can allow the construction of multi-functional nano-devices based on multiwalled carbon nanotube oscillators.

Carbon Nanotubes as Reinforcement Elements of Composite Nanotools

Nanotechnology is stimulating the development of nanomanipulators, including tips to interact with individual nanosystems. Fabricating nanotips fulfilling the requirements of shape (size, aspect ratio), mechanical, magnetic, and electrical properties is a material science challenge. Here, we report the generation of reinforced carbon-carbon composite nanotools using a nanotube (CNTs) covered by an amorphous carbon matrix (shell); the CNT tip protruded and remained uncoated to preserve apex size. Unsuitable properties such as flexibility and vibration could be controlled without deteriorating the CNT size, strength, and resilience. Nanomanipulation experiments and molecular dynamics simulations have been used to study the mechanical response of these composite beams under bending efforts. AFM probes based on these C-C composite high aspect ratio tips generated excellent image resolution and showed no degradation after acquiring several hundred (400) images.

Ordered phases of encapsulated diamondoids into carbon nanotubes

Diamondoids are hydrogen-terminated nanosized diamond fragments that are present in petroleum crude oil at low concentrations. These fragments are found as oligomers of the smallest diamondoid, adamantane (C(10)H(16)). Due to their small size, diamondoids can be encapsulated into carbon nanotubes to form linear arrangements. We have investigated the encapsulation of diamondoids into single walled carbon nanotubes with diameters between 1.0 and 2.2 nm using fully atomistic simulations. We performed classical molecular dynamics and energy minimizations calculations to determine the most stable configurations. We observed molecular ordered phases (e.g. double, triple, 4- and 5-stranded helices) for the encapsulation of adamantane, diamantane, and dihydroxy diamantane. Our results also indicate that the functionalization of diamantane with hydroxyl groups can lead to an improvement on the molecular packing factor when compared to non-functionalized compounds. Comparisons to hard-sphere models revealed differences, especially when more asymmetrical diamondoids were considered. For larger diamondoids (i.e., adamantane tetramers), we have not observed long-range ordering but only a tendency to form incomplete helical structures. Our calculations predict that thermally stable (at least up to room temperature) complex ordered phases of diamondoids can be formed through encapsulation into carbon nanotubes.