Nonlinear vibration properties of a zigzag single-walled carbon nanotube embedded in a polymer matrix

In the current study, the nonlinear vibration properties of an embedded zigzag single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) are investigated. Winkler-type model is used to simulate the interaction of the zigzag SWCNTs with a surrounding elastic medium. The relation between deflection amplitudes and resonant frequencies of the SWCNT is derived through harmonic balance method. The equivalent Young's modulus and shear modulus for zigzag SWCNT are derived using an energy-equivalent model. The amplitude - frequency curves for large-amplitude vibrations are graphically illustrated. The simulation results show that the chirality of zigzag carbon nanotube as well as surrounding elastic medium play more important roles in the nonlinear vibration of the single-walled carbon nanotubes.