Influence of metal coating on single-walled carbon nanotube: Molecular dynamics approach to determine tensile strength

The physical strength of a metal-coated single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) is derived in terms of a stress–strain curve by molecular dynamics simulation. The breaking stress of a metal-coated SWCNT was lower than that of an uncoated SWCNT; however, the force constant increased by 17%, which can be attributed to the effect of the metal coating on the SWNCT. With regard to the rupture phenomena, it was observed that the uncoated SWCNT yielded more easily than the metal-coated SWCNT at the yield point. The rupture phenomenon was initiated by a local distortion of the metal atoms of the SWCNT.