The mechanical behavior and nanostructure of silica nanowires via simulations

Atomistic simulations of vitreous silica nanowires under compression were evaluated for size effects on stiffness and for structural transformations using ring distributions. Results from nanowires (diameters 1.4–20.0 nm) bridge the gap between experiments and simulations. Ultrathin nanowires (diameter 4.3 nm, length 14.3 nm) show no change in structure through 25% strain. Thicker nanowires resemble bulk glass in structure and Young’s modulus while longer nanowires (length ∼57 nm) display buckling modes. Ultrathin nanowire results are consistent with predictions using elasticity calculations.