Elastic moduli of a boron nitride nanotube

Abstract

The elastic properties of boron nitride nanotubes have been calculated using the Tersoff–Brenner potential which is a bond order potential used successfully previously for carbon nanotubes. In the present calculation, the same form of potential is used with adjusted parameters for hexagonal boron nitride. The Young's modulus and shear modulus for single-walled armchair and zigzag tubes of different radii have been calculated. The effects of tube diameter are investigated. The computational results show the variation of Young's modulus and shear modulus of boron nitride nanotubes with nanotube diameter. The results have been compared with available data, experimental as well as calculated.