Imaging the Elastic Properties of Coiled Carbon Nanotubes with Atomic Force Microscopy

Abstract

Coiled carbon nanotubes were produced catalytically by thermal decomposition of hydrocarbon gas. After deposition on a silicon substrate, the three-dimensional structure of the helix-shaped multiwalled nanotubes can be visualized with atomic force microscopy. Helical structures of both chiralities are present in the nanotube deposits. For larger coil diameters ( >170 nm), force modulation microscopy allows one to probe the local elasticity along the length of the coil. Our results agree with the classical theory of elasticity. Similar to the case of straight nanotubes, the Young modulus of coiled multiwalled nanotubes remains comparable to the very high Young modulus of hexagonal graphene sheets.

Helical Carbon Nanotubes: Intrinsic Peroxidase Catalytic Activity and Its Application for Biocatalysis and Biosensing

“…[17,18] For example, because of their special electromagnetic (EM) properties, carbon nanohelices can be used in micromagnetic sensors, mechanical microsprings or actuators, highly elastic electroconductors, good EM wave absorbers, and so forth. [19][20][21][22] Additionally, compared with other carbon-based nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), HCNTs possess specific helical structures, increased surface area, and more importantly, encapsulate a certain amount of ferromagnetic iron species, Abstract: A combined hydrothermal/ hydrogen reduction method has been developed for the mass production of helical carbon nanotubes (HCNTs) by the pyrolysis of acetylene at 475 8C in the presence of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles.…”

Mechanics of a Carbon Nanocoil

“…Other potential applications are as nanosolenoids and electromagnetic wave absorbers. Volodin et al 7 reported the elastic properties of coiled carbon nanotubes as measured with force modulation microscopy (an AFM technique). The tensile properties of helical diamond microfibers several millimeters in length and having a wire core of platinum have been discussed.…”

Superelastic and Spring Properties of Si3N4 Microcoils

“…[2,3] Various morphologies of Si 3 N 4 in the nano-or micrometer scale [4][5][6][7][8][9] have been explored in the last few years because of their potentials in applications where mechanical strength and high temperature/corrosive durability are required. Compared with other configurations, such as wires, tubes and belts, helical springs observed in a number of inorganic materials [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] are expected to have remarkable properties in some aspects. For example, helical spring structures having dimensions on the order of nano-or micrometers are expected to have remarkable mechanical properties due to their helicity and periodicity or as a novel reinforcement in high strain composites.…”