BCN Nanotubes as Highly Sensitive Torsional Electromechanical
Transducers
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Abstract
Owing
to their mechanically tunable electronic properties, carbon
nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely studied as potential components
for nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS); however, the mechanical
properties of multiwall CNTs are often limited by the weak shear interactions
between the graphitic layers. Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) exhibit
a strong interlayer mechanical coupling, but their high electrical
resistance limits their use as electromechanical transducers. Can
the outstanding mechanical properties of BNNTs be combined with the
electromechanical properties of CNTs in one hybrid structure? Here,
we report the first experimental study of boron carbonitride nanotube
(BCNNT) mechanics and electromechanics. We found that the hybrid BCNNTs
are up to five times torsionally stiffer and stronger than CNTs, thereby
retaining to a large extent the ultrahigh torsional stiffness of BNNTs.
At the same time, we show that the electrical response of BCNNTs to
torsion is 1 to 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of CNTs. These
results demonstrate that BCNNTs could be especially attractive building
blocks for NEMS