Atomistic dynamics of deformation, fracture, and joining of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes

The tensile deformation process of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) was in situ observed with measurements of the mechanical properties by transmission electron microscopy combined with the functions of scanning probe microscopy. The values of Young's modulus, tensile stress and strain at the fracture of SWCNTs are 950 +/- 130 GPa, 25 +/- 1 GPa, and 0.30 +/- 0.03, respectively. It was shown that two tips of fractured SWCNTs can be recovered to produce a single tubular structure by contact under compressive force and bias voltage. The in situ observations also demonstrated the formation of carbon monatomic wires during the fracture process of SWCNTs.