Mechanical behaviors of nanowires

Abstract

The mechanical behaviors of nanowires (NWs) are significantly different from those of their bulk materials because of their small dimensions. Determining the mechanical performance of NWs and understanding their deformation behavior are crucial for designing and manufacturing NW-based devices with predictable and reproducible operation. Owing to the difficulties to manipulate these nanoscale materials, nanomechanical testing of NWs is always challenging, and errors can be readily introduced in the measured mechanical data. Here, we survey the techniques that have been developed to quantify the mechanical properties and to understand the deformation mechanisms of NWs. We also provide a general review of the mechanical properties and deformation behaviors of NWs and discuss possible sources responsible for the discrepancy of measured mechanical properties. The effects of planar defects on the mechanical behavior of NWs are also reviewed.