Mechanical Properties of Silicon Nanotubes

In this research, the mechanical behavior of silicon nanotubes was studies using molecular dynamics based on the Tersoff potential. As the first step, the variation of Young’s modulus for different temperatures and diameters is obtained. Results show that diameter variation does not affect the Young’s modulus significantly. Then, the buckling behavior of Si nanotube under uniaxial loading is simulated and the critical buckling load and strain are computed. The effects of parameters such as length, diameter and strain rate on critical buckling load and strain are studied. In addition, the effect of defect on buckling behavior is investigated.