Scaling Law in Carbon Nanotube Electromechanical Devices

TL;DR

This paper introduces a universal scaling law for the electromechanical behavior of multiwalled carbon nanotubes, validated through AFM measurements, aiding the design of nanowire-based NEMS actuators.

Contribution

It presents a novel AFM-based method to probe CNT electromechanical properties and confirms a universal scaling law with continuum model agreement.

Findings

Data from different CNTs collapse into a universal curve

The scaling law matches continuum model predictions

The method is useful for designing NEMS actuators

Abstract

We report a method for probing electromechanical properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes(CNTs). This method is based on AFM measurements on a doubly clamped suspended CNT electrostatically deflected by a gate electrode. We measure the maximum deflection as a function of the applied gate voltage. Data from different CNTs scale into an universal curve within the experimental accuracy, in agreement with a continuum model prediction. This method and the general validity of the scaling law constitute a very useful tool for designing actuators and in general conducting nanowire-based NEMS.