Change in electronic properties of carbon nanotubes caused by local distortion under axial compressive strain

In this study, the change in electronic properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) under axial compressive strain was analyzed by using Green's function method based on tight-binding approach. A single (9, 0) CNT structure was used for the calculation. The column buckling of the CNT was occurred and a kink was formed in the buckled CNT with increasing compressive strain. After the formation of a kink, the local density of state (LDOS) at the energy higher than 0.3 eV was strongly localized in the buckled region. The conductance of the CNT with a kink was suppressed by the scattering of electrons due to the localization of LDOS. Therefore, electronic properties of the CNT changes drastically by buckling deformation when CNTs are subject to combined bending and axial compression.