Mechanics of folding of nanorings. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Fengwei; Li, Hao; Li, Ming; Kang, Zhan
• Is Part Of: Mechanics of materials. Volume 148(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Nanorings -- Folding and unfolding -- Critical condition -- Theoretical model -- MD simulation; Strength of materials -- Periodicals; Mechanics, Applied -- Periodicals; Résistance des matériaux -- Périodiques; Mécanique appliquée -- Périodiques; Mechanics, Applied; Strength of materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mechmat.2020.103493
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-6636

Abstract

Highlights: Folding mechanism of nanorings is studied through theoretical model and MD simulation. Critical folding nanoring radius is a function of nanotube radius-dependent bending stiffness and inter-tube binding energy. Circular and twisted nanorings have essentially different folding and unfolding behaviors. Abstract: Nanorings are prone to folding as a result of the competition between van der Waals interactions and mechanical rigidity, and thus have promising potential applications in reprogrammable/reconfigurable and strain engineering fields. A small-deformation continuum model is proposed to investigate the folding of nanorings and to predict their critical radii for stable folding. The critical radius of a nanoring is found to be dependent on the ratio of the component nanotube bending stiffness to the inter-tube binding energy, both of which are dependent on the radius of the component nanotube. The unfolding of folded nanorings by annealing is also studied through molecular dynamics simulations.