Torsional buckling behavior of boron-nitride nanotubes using molecular dynamics simulations

• BNNTs are studied utilizing the molecular dynamics simulation.
• Exploring the buckling behavior of BNNT under torsional loading.
• The shear properties of BNNTs are size dependent as the length is small.
• BNNT possess the higher torsional stiffness and strength than carbon counterpart.

Based on molecular dynamics simulations, the mechanical properties and buckling behavior of boron-nitride nanotubes under the action of torsional load are investigated. According to the results, the torsional properties of a boron-nitride nanotube are higher than those of its carbon counterpart. The effect of geometrical parameters on these parameters is also investigated. It is observed that by increasing the radius of nanotubes of the same length, unlike the critical shear strain, the critical torque considerably increases. The effect of chirality is also found to be negligible in the cases of critical shear strain and buckling mode, unlike the critical torque.