Electronic properties of zigzag carbon nanotubes under uniaxial strain

Molecular dynamics simulations and quantum transport theory are employed to study the electrical properties of (12,0) zigzag carbon nanotubes under different uniaxial strains. It is found that the current–bias voltage profiles exhibit distinct steps at particular values of the bias voltage. These steps correspond to the given bias voltages applied to the electrodes at which the electrons are given sufficient energy to propagate through the nanotube. The current–strain profiles are shown to be linear for bias voltages in the range of 0.2–2.2 V. The present results suggest that (12,0) zigzag nanotubes can be used as the basis for uniaxial strain sensors for strains in the range of −0.02 to 0.16.