On the modeling of carbon nanotubes: A critical review

A comprehensive review is conducted on the modeling and simulation of isolated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) concentrating on all mechanical, buckling, vibrational and thermal properties. Three different approaches consisting of atomistic modeling, continuum modeling and nano-scale continuum modeling are firstly explained and their applications toward understanding behavior of CNTs are discussed. Different investigations available in literature focusing on mentioned behaviors are reviewed and their results are compared to show the applicability and efficiency of employed/developed technique. Taking into account both runtime and accuracy of modeling, advantages and disadvantages of introduced methods are nominated and analyzed. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.