A Simple Estimation of Young’s Modulus and Tensile Strength of Carbon Nanotubes

Debnarayan Jana

Dept. of Physics, University of Calcutta

Within the harmonic approximation, we estimate the Young’s modulus and tensile strength of typical carbon nanotubes at zero temperature following four important potentials used in solid state physics. The theoretical results are compared with experimental observations. The results thus obtained also find an important link with the applicability of carbon nanotubes as a space elevator.