title: Nanoscale fracture mechanics.
abstract: Theoretical calculations on undefected nanoscale materials predict impressive mechanical properties. In this review we summarize the status of experimental efforts to directly measure the fracture strengths of inorganic and carbon nanotubes and discuss possible explanations for the deviations between the predicted and observed values. We also summarize the role of theory in understanding the molecular-level origin of these deviations. In particular, we consider the role of defects such as vacancies, Stone-Wales defects, adatoms and ad-dimers, chemical functionalization, and oxidative pitting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. slmielke@chem.northwestern.edu
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Mielke
authors.forename: Ted
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Belytschko
authors.forename: George C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Schatz
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D002244:Carbon