Topological defects were formed in carbon nanotubes during processing or subsequent deformation. Their presence was found to reduce the Young’s moduli of the nanotubes. When the number of defects was greater than one, they could be of interacting or non-interacting type, This depended upon whether the defects were within a specific interaction distance or not. A model was proposed for the reduction in Young’s modulus for non-interacting defects and was validated. However, non-linear effects dominated for interacting defects. Deviations from linearity could be explained in terms of a transition region, followed by a steady-state region governed by the interaction distance and the size of the defect. The interaction was explained by using the concepts of local stresses and strain rather than conventional energetic quantities.

Defect-Defect Interaction in Carbon Nanotubes under Mechanical Loading. C.Shet, N.Chandra, S.Namilae: Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Structures, 2005, 12[1], 55-65