The effects of nanoscale conformal coatings of amorphous silicon carbide on the mechanical properties of carbon nanotube pillars are investigated. Several interesting mechanical failure modes such as bamboo and brittle-like composite rupture are observed as coating thickness increases.
A novel semi-continuum finite element-based modeling approach was developed and used to systematically quantify the effects of nanoscale conformal coating thickness and CNT waviness, on the compressive strength and modulus of the CNT array.
Dr. Xuejun Fan, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering