Developments in the evaluation of elastic properties of carbon nanotubes and their heterojunctions by numerical simulation

High-tech miniaturization is a strategic area to empower new scientific challenges for which carbon nanotubes are ideal candidates with outstanding electronic, optical and mechanical properties. Carbon nanotubes and their heterojunctions are efficient components for reinforcement of composites, for constructing micro- and nanodevices, and for designing new materials with required electronic and mechanical properties. The carbon nanotubes have been studied experimentally, but a big inconsistency in experimental results has been observed, because of the technical difficulties to operate with nanoscale objects. For this reason, modelling and computer simulation for predicting their mechanical properties have received much attention. This review attempts to classify the accomplishments in predicting of the elastic properties of carbon nanotubes and their heterojunctions by analytical and computational approaches. The literature results concerning Young’s modulus, shear modulus and Poisson’s ratio of perfect and with defects single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes and their heterojunction are analysed and systematized