OSCILLATORY BEHAVIOUR AND NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF A C60 FULLERENCE IN SINGLE-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes play an important role in nanotechnology worldwide because of their physical and mechanical properties. Their applications can be found in drug delivery, nano-bearings and nano-oscillators.
In this paper, we study the oscillatory behaviour of a C60 fullerence inside single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by using the finite element method based on the Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) approach. We apply the continuum assumption and the Lennard-Jones potential for non-bonded interaction potential energy between two molecules. The movement of the C60 fullerene described by Newton law of the motion associated with the van der Waals force and a frictional force, is investigated. It is assumed that the C60 fullerene is initially set outside the nanotubes.