On the Impossibility of Separating Nanotubes in a Bundle by Longitudinal Tension

Abstract

Nanotubes in a bundle tend to bunch as a consequence of van der Waals attraction and their extremely high surface to volume ratio. In this article we demonstrate that they cannot be separated by applying an arbitrary large longitudinal tension. Thus, cooperation between nanotubes in a bundle is guaranteed, even under large tension. Such a finding could have an important role in designing self-assembled macroscopic nanotube-based cables.

Keywords:

• Adhesion
• Bunching
• Bundle
• Cable
• Fracture
• Nanotube
• Tension

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors are supported by the “Bando Ricerca Scientifica Piemonte 2006”–BIADS: Novel biomaterials for intraoperative adjustable devices for fine tuning of prostheses shape and performance in surgery.