Strain-sensitive Raman modes of carbon nanotubes in deflecting freely suspended nanomembranes

Deformational behavior in freely suspended polymer nanomembranes with embedded carbon nanotubes has been investigated by in-situ monitoring of resonance Raman scattering (see Figure). A two-stage deformational process, with bending and buckling of the nanotubes at low deflections followed by along-axis stretching at high deflections, is observed, indicating a very efficient load transfer between the layer-by-layer deposited matrix and the embedded nanotubes.