Nanoscale Mechanics of Carbon Nanotube Evaluated by Nanoprobe Manipulation in Transmission Electron Microscope

Abstract

We investigated the nanoscale mechanics of individual multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by a nanoprobe manipulation technique in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The force applied to individual MWCNTs was measured using a commercially available Si cantilever installed in a manipulator. It was clearly observed that this force is released by buckling like deformation. The average Young's modulus of the MWCNTs estimated using a conventional mechanical theory was approximately 1.1 TPa. Although the MWCNTs exhibited a high flexibility, the deformation of the MWCNTs above the elastic limit led to structural defects, which resulted in a local plastic deformation. Nanomechanics measurements in the TEM revealed that the structural defects cause stiffness deterioration.