Mechanical properties of carbon, silicon carbide, and boron nitride nanotubes: effect of ionization

This paper studies the effect of ionization of finite-length single-walled carbon nanotubes, boron nitride nanotubes, and silicon carbide nanotubes on their mechanical properties. The PBE/SVP calculations show that the ionization affects the elastic properties of studied models. The nanotubes demonstrate little changes in Young's modulus upon ionization; however, the changes in bulk and shear moduli as well as in Poisson's ratio are more pronounced. The introduction of nanotubes into composite materials, which may undergo a radiation exposure, is a promising way to enhance their performance.