We measured the elastic properties and intrinsic breaking strength of free-standing monolayer graphene membranes by nanoindentation in an atomic force microscope. The force-displacement behavior is interpreted within a framework of nonlinear elastic stress-strain response, and yields second- and third-order elastic stiffnesses of 340 newtons per meter (N m(-1)) and -690 Nm(-1), respectively. The breaking strength is 42 N m(-1) and represents the intrinsic strength of a defect-free sheet. These quantities correspond to a Young's modulus of E = 1.0 terapascals, third-order elastic stiffness of D = -2.0 terapascals, and intrinsic strength of sigma(int) = 130 gigapascals for bulk graphite. These experiments establish graphene as the strongest material ever measured, and show that atomically perfect nanoscale materials can be mechanically tested to deformations well beyond the linear regime.

/pdf/measurement-of-the-elastic-properties-and-intrinsic-strength-27nythtm75.pdf

Measurement of the Elastic Properties and Intrinsic Strength of Monolayer Graphene

Many potential applications have been proposed for carbon nanotubes, including conductive and high-strength composites; energy storage and energy conversion devices; sensors; field emission displays and radiation sources; hydrogen storage media; and nanometer-sized semiconductor devices, probes, and interconnects. Some of these applications are now realized in products. Others are demonstrated in early to advanced devices, and one, hydrogen storage, is clouded by controversy. Nanotube cost, polydispersity in nanotube type, and limitations in processing and assembly methods are important barriers for some applications of single-walled nanotubes.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/297/5582/787.full.pdf

Carbon Nanotubes--the Route Toward Applications

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) is a metastable form of amorphous carbon with significant sp3 bonding. DLC is a semiconductor with a high mechanical hardness, chemical inertness, and optical transparency. This review will describe the deposition methods, deposition mechanisms, characterisation methods, electronic structure, gap states, defects, doping, luminescence, field emission, mechanical properties and some applications of DLCs. The films have widespread applications as protective coatings in areas, such as magnetic storage disks, optical windows and micro-electromechanical devices (MEMs).

/pdf/diamond-like-amorphous-carbon-3pczopr0z7.pdf

Diamond-like amorphous carbon

The tensile strengths of individual multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were measured with a “nanostressing stage” located within a scanning electron microscope. The tensile-loading experiment was prepared and observed entirely within the microscope and was recorded on video. The MWCNTs broke in the outermost layer (“sword-in-sheath” failure), and the tensile strength of this layer ranged from 11 to 63 gigapascals for the set of 19 MWCNTs that were loaded. Analysis of the stress-strain curves for individual MWCNTs indicated that the Young's modulus E of the outermost layer varied from 270 to 950 gigapascals. Transmission electron microscopic examination of the broken nanotube fragments revealed a variety of structures, such as a nanotube ribbon, a wave pattern, and partial radial collapse.

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/287/5453/637.full.pdf

Strength and breaking mechanism of multiwalled carbon nanotubes under tensile load

https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/schools/cas_sites/physics/pdf/Ren/p85.pdf

Advances in the science and technology of carbon nanotubes and their composites: a review

Reference LNNME-ARTICLE-1999-004doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.82.944View record in Web of Science Record created on 2007-04-23, modified on 2016-08-08

/pdf/elastic-and-shear-moduli-of-single-walled-carbon-nanotube-4fnqoxob6b.pdf

Elastic and shear moduli of single-walled carbon nanotube ropes

We report on the field emission properties of single-wall carbon nanotube films, with emphasis on current–versus–voltage (I–V) characteristics and current stability. The films are excellent field emitters, yielding current densities higher than 10 mA cm−2 with operating voltages that are far lower than for other film emitters, but show a significant degradation of their performances with time. The observed deviations from the Fowler-Nordheim behavior in the I–V characteristics point to the presence of a nonmetallic density of states at the tip of the nanotubes.

Field emission from single-wall carbon nanotube films

Carbon nanotubes, a novel form of carbon discovered in 1991, have been rapidly recognized as one of the most promising electron field emitters ever since the first emission experiments reported in 1995. Their potential as emitters in various devices has been amply demonstrated during the last five years, and recent developments of production techniques are likely to trigger future applications. This report reviews the state of the art of the current research on the electron field emission properties of carbon nanotubes and surveys their ability to provide single or multiple electron sources.

Field emission from carbon nanotubes: the first five years

Reference LNNME-ARTICLE-1999-005doi:10.1002/(SICI)1521-4095(199902)11:2 3.0.CO;2-JView record in Web of Science Record created on 2007-04-23, modified on 2016-08-08

Elastic Modulus of Ordered and Disordered Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

We report on the extensive characterization of carbon nanotube electron field emitters. We studied the emission behavior of single-wall, closed and opened arc-discharge multi-wall, and catalytically grown multi-wall nanotubes, as single emitters and in film form. The nanotube field emitters show excellent field emission properties, but significant differences were observed between the different types of nanotubes. To obtain good performances as well as long emitter lifetimes, the nanotubes should be multi-walled and have closed, well-ordered tips. Complementary results such as energy distribution and luminescence induced by the field emission give further precious indications on the field emission mechanism. The large field amplification factor, arising from the small radius of curvature of the nanotube tips, is partly responsible for the good emission characteristics. Additional evidence however shows that the density of states at the tip is non-metallic, appearing in the form of localized states with well-defined energy levels.

Thomas Stöckli

Papers

Elastic and shear moduli of single-walled carbon nanotube ropes

Field emission from single-wall carbon nanotube films

Field emission from carbon nanotubes: the first five years

Elastic Modulus of Ordered and Disordered Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Field emission from carbon nanotubes: perspectives for applications and clues to the emission mechanism