Theoretical and experimental studies of carbon nanotube electromechanical coupling

An atomistic model for the charge distribution in layered MoS2

We present an atomistic model for predicting the distribution of doping electric charges in layered molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂). This model mimics the charge around each ion as a net Gaussian-spatially distributed charge plus an induced dipole, and is able to predict the distribution of doping charges in layered MoS₂ in a self-consistent scheme. The profiles of doping charges in monolayer MoS₂ flakes computed by this charge-dipole model are in good agreement with those obtained by density-functional-theory calculations. Using this model, we quantitatively predict the charge enhancement in MoS₂ monolayer nanoribbons, with which strong ionic charge-localization effects are shown.

Strain-capacitance relationship in polymer actuators based on single-walled carbon nanotubes and ionic liquid gels

We investigate the electromechanical properties of bucky-gel electrochemical actuators incorporating various amounts of single-walled carbon nanotubes and an ionic liquid electrolyte, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, that are able to convert electrochemical energy into mechanical energy. The interplay between mechanical and electrochemical effects is studied. The electromechanical responses are investigated by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and bending displacement measurements. We develop a theoretical model that allows us to rationalize the electromechanical properties of the bucky-gel actuators. This model takes into account electrochemical stress due to the intercalation (de-intercalation) process, which generates the strain and bending of the actuators. We then analyze the relationship between the strain and the real part of the complex capacitance by introducing a strain-capacitance coefficient. This coefficient is related to the electrochemical stress and the amount of the ionic adsorption (desorption) at the double-layer. From a practical point of view, the determination of the strain-capacitance coefficient is helpful for characterizing and optimizing the performance of electrochemical actuators.

Charge transfer at junctions of a single layer of graphene and a metallic single walled carbon nanotube

Junctions between a single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) and a monolayer of graphene are fabricated and studied for the first time. A single layer graphene (SLG) sheet grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is transferred onto a SiO₂/Si wafer with aligned CVD-grown SWNTs. Raman spectroscopy is used to identify metallic-SWNT/SLG junctions, and a method for spectroscopic deconvolution of the overlapping G peaks of the SWNT and the SLG is reported, making use of the polarization dependence of the SWNT. A comparison of the Raman peak positions and intensities of the individual SWNT and graphene to those of the SWNT-graphene junction indicates an electron transfer of 1.12 × 10¹³ cm⁻² from the SWNT to the graphene. This direction of charge transfer is in agreement with the work functions of the SWNT and graphene. The compression of the SWNT by the graphene increases the broadening of the radial breathing mode (RBM) peak from 3.6 ± 0.3 to 4.6 ± 0.5 cm⁻¹ and of the G peak from 13 ± 1 to 18 ± 1 cm⁻¹, in reasonable agreement with molecular dynamics simulations. However, the RBM and G peak position shifts are primarily due to charge transfer with minimal contributions from strain. With this method, the ability to dope graphene with nanometer resolution is demonstrated.

Phonon softening in individual metallic carbon nanotubes due to the Kohn Anomaly

We have studied the line shape and frequency of the G band Raman modes in individual metallic single walled carbon nanotubes (M-SWNTs) as a function of Fermi level (epsilonF) position, by tuning a polymer electrolyte gate. Our study focuses on the data from M-SWNTs where explicit assignment of the G- and G+ peaks can be made. The frequency and line shape of the G- peak in the Raman spectrum of M-SWNTs is very sensitive to the position of the Fermi level. Within +/- variant Planck's over 2piomega/2 (where variant Planck's over 2piomega is the phonon energy) around the band crossing point, the G- mode is softened and broadened. In contrast, as the Fermi level is tuned away from the band crossing point, a semiconductinglike G band line shape is recovered both in terms of frequency and linewidth. Our results confirm the predicted softening of the A-symmetry LO phonon mode frequency due to a Kohn anomaly in M-SWNTs.

Enhancing mechanical properties of multiwall carbon nanotubes via sp3 interwall bridging

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations under transverse shear, uniaxial compression, and pullout loading configurations are reported for multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with different fraction of interwall sp3 bonds. The interwall shear coupling in MWCNTs is shown to have a strong influence on load transfer and compressive load carrying capacity. A new continuum shear-coupled-shell model is developed to predict MWCNT buckling, which agrees very well with all MD results. This work demonstrates that MWCNTs can be engineered through control of interwall sp3 coupling to increase load transfer, buckling strength, and energy dissipation by nanotube pullout, all necessary features for good performance of nanocomposites.

Voltage-induced dependence of Raman-active modes in single-wall carbon nanotube thin films

We report on electrical Raman measurements in transparent and conducting single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) thin films. Application of external voltage results in downshifts of the D and G modes and in reduction of their intensity. The intensities of the radial breathing modes increase with external electric field related to the application of the external voltage in metallic SWNTs, while decreasing in semiconducting SWNTs. A model explaining the phenomenon in terms of both direct and indirect (Joule heating) effects of the field is proposed. Our work rules out the elimination of large amounts of metallic SWNTs in thin film transistors using high field pulses. Our results support the existence of Kohn anomalies in the Raman-active optical branches of metallic graphitic materials.

Charge-induced strains in single-walled carbon nanotubes

This paper investigates the electromechanical coupling in single-walled carbon nanotubes. In the model system, the extra electric charge of the nanotube is assumed to be uniformly distributed on carbon atoms. The electrostatic interactions between charged carbon atoms are calculated using the Coulomb law. The deformation of the charged nanotube is obtained by using the molecular structural mechanics method and considering the electrostatic interactions as an external loading acting on carbon atoms. The axial strain is found to be a symmetric function of applied charge, and our predictions are in very good agreement with those from ab initio calculations. The present results indicate that the nanotube aspect ratio has a strong effect on the axial strain when the ratio is less than 10 and the general trend is that the strain increases with the aspect ratio. The peak axial and radial strains occur at nanotube diameters of around 1.2-1.5 nm.