PROPERTIES OF ZnO NANOWIRES AND FUNCTIONAL NANOCOMPOSITES

Abstract

One-dimensional structures like nanotubes and nanowires are potential candidates for nanoscale sensors and actuators. Furthermore, the nanoscale cross-section of these elements introduces controllable size effects while the macroscopic length ensures good mechanical coupling to matrix materials and thus reinforcing effects in nanocomposites. Molecular dynamics simulations are employed to study the electronic and mechanical properties of smallest ZnO nanowires. It has been shown that the electronic band structure of nanowires varies with uniaxial strain and this property can be used for sensing deformation state when nanowires are embedded in a polymer matrix.