Transmission electron microscopy observations of fracture of single-wall carbon nanotubes under axial tension

Well-aligned bundles of single-wall carbon nanotubes under tensile stresses were observed to fracture in real-time by transmission electron microscopy. The expansion of elliptical holes in the polymer matrix results in a tensile force in bridging nanotubes. The polymer matrix at both ends of the bundles deforms extensively under the tension force, and fracture of the nanotubes occurs in tension within the polymer hole region rather than in shear within the gripping polymer region at the ends of the bundles. This provides evidence of significant polymer-nanotube wetting and interfacial adhesion.