Frequency analysis of perfect and defective SWCNTs

This paper develops a structural mechanical model that analyzes the natural frequency of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) subjected to fixed–fixed and free–fixed boundary conditions. A Morse potential is employed for stretching and bending potentials, and a periodic type of bond torsion is used for torsion interactions. The natural frequencies for various aspect ratios are predicted by this structural model. The effect of different vacancy and Stone–Wales defects on the natural frequency of zigzag and armchair nanotubes is also investigated. Finally, the results of the present structural model are compared with those from other numerical methods.

► We model carbon nanotubes using a structural mechanics approach. ► We investigate the effects of the type of defects on the natural frequencies. ► The effect of defects on the natural frequencies will decrease with increasing length. ► The critical points of the defects on SWCNTs depend on their mode shapes.