Axisymmetric vibration of single-walled carbon nanotubes in water

A double shell-Stokes flow model is developed to study the axisymmetric vibration of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) immerged in water. In contrast to macroscopic solid–liquid system, a submerged SWCNT is coupled with surrounding water via the van der Waals interaction. It is shown that this unique feature substantially reduces viscous damping of the axisymmetric radial, longitudinal and torsional vibrations and significantly up-shifts the frequency of the radial vibration of an SWCNT. The study offers a theoretical explanation for the experimental observation and molecular dynamics simulations available in particular cases, and provides an efficient modelling tool and useful guidance for the study of the general dynamic behaviour of SWCNTs in a fluid.