A method for measuring rotation of a thermal carbon nanomotor using centrifugal effect

Abstract

A thermal nanomotor is relatively easy to fabricate and regulate as it contains just a few or even no accessory devices. Since the double-wall carbon nanotube (CNT)-based rotary nanomotor was established in a thermostat, assessment of the rotation of the rotor (inner tube) in the stator (outer tube) of the nanomotor has been critical, but remains challenging due to two factors: the small size of the rotor (only a few nanometers) and the high rotational frequency (»1 GHz). To measure the rotation of the nanomotor, in the present study, a probe test method is proposed. Briefly, the rotor is connected to an end-tube (CNT) through a graphene (GN) nanoribbon. As the CNT-probe is on the trajectory of the end-tube which rotates with the rotor, it will collide with the end-tube. The sharp fluctuation indicating the probe tip deflection can be observed and recorded. As a curly GN by hydrogenation is adopted for connecting the rotor and the end-tube, collision between the end-tube and the probe tip occurs only when the centrifugal force is higher than a threshold which can be considered as the rotational frequency of the rotor being measured by the present method.

Geometric dependence of transport and universal behavior in three dimensional carbon nanostructures

“…For example, Cai et al have proposed to use the centrifugal effect to measure the high-speed rotation of a thermal carbon nanomotor. 10 Recently, Liu et al have systematically developed the real-time optical imaging and broadband in situ spectroscopy, and have studied the optical absorption spectrum of various types of CNTs. [11][12][13] Their experimental results revealed that the interaction between two individual tubes can significantly modify the optical transition energy in DWCNTs.…”

Effects of Tearing Conditions on the Crack Propagation in a Monolayer Graphene Sheet

“…Muniz et al [ 18 , 19 ] developed twisted bilayer graphene with periodic sp 3 interlayer bonds, and estimated its mechanical properties via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Cai et al [ 20 ] introduced a graphene ribbon in a rotor to show the centrifugal force at the nano scale [ 21 , 22 ]. Song et al [ 23 , 24 ] modelled a rotary nanodevice for achieving the transfer of rotation–translation.…”

Ideal Oscillation of a Hydrogenated Deformable Rotor in a Gigahertz Rotation–Translation Nanoconverter at Low Temperatures

“…In their model, a deformable part (DP) made of graphene was connected to the CNT rotor. The DP deforms when the rotation-induced centrifugal force [36] is strong enough, and the axial translation of the rotor happens simultaneously. Unfortunately, DP may be self-bonded into a narrow ring under high rotational speed, which is unrecoverable and unstable.…”