Bending Deformation of C₆₀ Nanowhiskers in Solution and Air

Abstract

The mechanical properties of C₆₀ nanowhiskers (C₆₀NWs) grown in a solution by a liquid-liquid interfatical precipitation method were investigated by a bending method. C₆₀NWs in the solution exhibited large elastic deformation where they recovered for large bending with a curvature of 290 μm. On the other hand, C₆₀NWs in air were broken even for small bending with only a 650 μm curvature. From the analysis of the bending, the yield stress or breaking stress for C₆₀NWs in air is estimated to be 7.7 MPa, that is larger by one order compared with 0.7 MPa for bulk C₆₀ crystals. In addition, it is shown that the Young's modulus for C₆₀NWs in the solution is 8.9 GPa, that is below a half of 20 GPa for bulk C₆₀ crystals.