Elastic Modulus of Ordered and Disordered Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) have unique mechanical properties and are ideal candidates for high-performance composites. Elastic measurements, performed with an atomic force microscope, are described for MWNTs produced by two methods: the arc-discharge method and the thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons in the presence of catalysts. Extended stacking defects, such as produced in the second production method (which unlike the first can yield almost continuous production of long fibers), are shown to have a much larger effect than point defects on the elastic properties of the nanotubes.