Characterizing load transfer efficiency in double-walled carbon nanotubes using multiscale finite element modeling

Load transfer efficiency from matrix to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) plays an important role in the mechanical response of CNTs nanocomposites as it may affect the effectiveness of the nano-reinforcements. For double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs), the outer graphene layer as well as the inner layer may be responsible for the load bearing capacity. In this study, the load transfer efficiency within DWCNTs was investigated using a multiscale simulation scheme. The multiscale simulation consists of two steps. First, the atomistic behaviors between the adjacent graphite layers in DWCNTs were characterized using molecular dynamic (MD) simulation, from which a cylindrical equivalent continuum solid of DWCNTs with embedded spring elements was proposed to describe the interactions of neighboring graphene layers. Two kinds of interatomistic properties in DWCNTs, i.e., van der Walls (vdW) interactions and artificial build-up covalent bonds, were considered in the equivalent solid. Subsequently, the equivalent solid was implemented as reinforcement in the micromechanical model of CNTs nanocomposites for evaluating the load transfer efficiency. Results indicated that the DWCNTs with covalent bonds exhibit superior load transfer efficiency than those with only vdW interactions. In addition, when the DWCNTs get long, the load transfer efficiency of DWCNTs increases accordingly. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.