Molecular dynamics simulation of pull-in phenomena in carbon nanotubes with Stone–Wales defects

This paper deals with investigation of deformations and pull-in charges of the cantilever and doubly clamped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with different geometries using molecular dynamics simulation technique. The well-known AIREBO potential for the covalent bonds between carbon atoms, Lennar-Jones potential for the vdW interaction and the Coulomb potential for electrostatic actuation are employed to model the nano electromechanical system. The results reveal that longer CNTs with smaller diameters have smaller pull-in charges in comparison with shorter CNTs possessing larger diameters. Furthermore, the pull-in charges of the doubly clamped CNTs are higher than the pull-in charges of the cantilevered CNTs. Another important matter discussed in this paper is the effects of Stone–Wales defects on the pull-in charges. The results show the reduction of the pull-in charges in the presence of Stone–Wales defects in the nano system.