Thermal-Induced Edge Barriers and Forces in Interlayer Interaction of Concentric Carbon Nanotubes

Zhengrong Guo, Tienchong Chang, Xingming Guo, and Huajian Gao

Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 105502 – Published 30 August 2011

Abstract

Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that thermal-induced edge barriers and forces can govern the interlayer interaction of double walled carbon nanotubes. As a result, friction in such systems depends on both the area of contact and the length of the contact edges. The latter effect is negligible in macroscopic friction and provides a feasible explanation for the seemingly contradictory laws of interlayer friction, which have been reported in the literature. The temperature-dependent edge forces can be utilized as a driving force in carbon nanotube thermal actuators, and has general implications for nanoscale friction and contact.

Received 25 January 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.105502

Authors & Affiliations

Zhengrong Guo¹, Tienchong Chang^1,2,*, Xingming Guo¹, and Huajian Gao²

¹Shanghai Institute of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mechanics in Energy Engineering, Division of Modern Mechanics of E-Institute of Shanghai Universities, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, People’s Republic of China
²School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA