Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanocoils Analyzed by Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Abstract

Carbon nanocoils (spiral carbon nanotubes) are expected as a highly functional material for electromagnetic components such as electromagnetic wave absorbers and field emission devices and for mechanical components, such as nanosprings. However, electromagnetic or mechanical properties of carbon nanocoils have not been fully understood. In this paper, stable structures of carbon nanocoils and their mechanical properties are predicted based on molecular dynamics simulation with Tersoff inter-atomic potential.