Buckling Analyses of Double-Wall Carbon Nanotubes: A Shell Theory Based on the Interatomic Potential

Based on the finite-deformation shell theory for carbon nanotubes established from the interatomic potential and the continuum model for van der Waals (vdW) interactions, we have studied the buckling of double-walled carbon nanotubes subjected to compression or torsion. Prior to buckling, the vdW interactions have essentially no effect on the deformation of the double-walled carbon nanotube. The critical buckling strain of the double-wall carbon nanotubes is always between those for the inner wall and for the outer wall, which means that the vdW interaction decelerates buckling of one wall at the expenses of accelerating the buckle of the other wall.