Ultrafast Nano-Oscillators Based on Carbon Nanoscrolls

We demonstrate ultrafast axial nano-oscillator based on carbon nanoscroll (CNS) which operates at 10s~100s GHz, using molecular dynamic simulations. Such a nano-oscillator consists of a SWCNT that is housed inside a CNS, which can be feasibly formed by the SWCNT-initiated scrolling of a basal monolayer graphene. The unique topological structure of the CNS-based nano-oscillator offers a simple and viable pathway to fabricating ultrafast axial nano-oscillators. We also propose an effective and practical strategy to reduce the oscillation dissipation of the CNS-based nano-oscillators by introducing interlayer bridging bonds in the CNS. We further demonstrate the highly sustainable oscillation of the bridged-CNS-based nano-oscillators that can be excited and driven by an external AC electric field, which exemplifies the potential to leverage CNS-based nano-oscillators for energy transduction, harnessing and storage (e.g., from electric to mechanical) at nano-scale. 

Z. Zhang, T. Li, Ultrafast nano-oscillators based on interlayer-bridged carbon nanoscrolls, Nanoscale Research Letters, in press (2011). (supplemental video 1, video 2, video 3, video 4)