Unusual deformation mechanisms in carbon nanotube heterojunctions (5,5)-(10,10) under tensile loading

The Poisson's ratio effect of single wall carbon nanotube heterojunctions (HJ) of the type (5,5)-(10,10) is investigated using an hybrid finite element atomistic-continuum approach to simulate the mechanical behaviour of nanostructures. The nanotube His provide a peculiar deformation pattern, with combined bending and axial stretching of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and a broad agreement of their axial stiffness with spring series continuum mechanics and existing molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. A possible auxetic behaviour is observed for the pure HJ with no tubes when subjected to tensile loading. (C) 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim