Numerical thermal analysis of armchair (6,6) and zig-zag (12,0) carbon nano-tubes (CNTs)

Abstract

In this study, the thermal behaviour of small-sized single-atom CNTs was examined. CNTs are composed of crystals that form a nanostructure with different geometric shapes by arranging them in different ways according to the length-diameter ratio. Due to the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of CNTs, the thermal conduction of CNT materials is critical in controlling the performance and stability of CNTs. CNTs, which are low-dimensional materials with a single atomic layer thickness, have excellent thermal conductivity. According to the simulation technique in ANSYS, CNTs containing the same number of atoms and bonds were developed. The heat transfer of different structures of CNTs in armchairs (6,6) and zig-zag (12,0) were compared. A comparison of zig-zag and armchair CNTs thermal behaviour shows that zig-zag CNTs lattice structure has more advantages than armchair CNTs lattice structure by heat transfer.

Highlights

• In this study, finite element-based thermal analysis of single and double-walled armchair and zig-zag carbon nano-tubes (CNTs) using the lattice method was investigated. A simulation technique was developed and applied in the ANSYS program for single and double-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs).

• Armchairs (6,6) and zig-zag (12,0) CNTs in different lattice structures with equal atomic numbers and bond numbers are modelled according to different diameters and length ratios. The CNTs, which have the same material properties as the trays placed at both open ends of the pipes, are kept at different temperature values, and conduction heat transfer behaviour is investigated for certain temperature values.

• According to the investigated heat conduction behaviour of zig-zag and armchair CNTs, the lattice structure of the zig-zag carbon nano-tubes is more advantageous in terms of heat conduction than the cage structure of armchair CNTs, and it transmits heat faster than the armchair CNTs.

Keywords:

• Carbon nano-tube (CNTs)
• substructure lattice method
• finite element
• heat transfer
• ANSYS