A theoretical model is developed to investigate the mechanical behavior of closely packed carbon nanoscrolls (CNSs), the so-called CNS crystals, subjected to uniaxial lateral compression/decompression. Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to verify the model predictions. It is shown that the compression behavior of a CNS crystal can exhibit strong hysteresis that may be tuned by an applied electric field. The present study demonstrates the potential of CNSs for applications in energy-absorbing materials as well as nanodevices, such as artificial muscles, where reversible and controllable volumetric deformations are desired. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/1.4024418]

The article was published as:
Shi XH,Yin QF,Pugno NM,Gao HJ. Tunable mechanical behavior of carbon nanoscroll crystals under uniaxial lateral compression. JOURNAL OF APPLIED MECHANICS, TRANSACTIONS ASME, 2014, 81(2):021014, doi: 10.1115/1.4024418