Résumé
We study the mechanical response of one-dimensional arrays of highly dense small-diameter (1-3 nm) non-catalytic multiwall (2-4 walls) carbon nanotube (CNT) brushes, measured using SEM in-situ micro-pillar compression testing. These dense CNT pillars, fabricated using focused ion beam (FIB) micromachining, were found to exhibit significantly higher modulus (~150 GPa) and orders of magnitude higher resistance to buckling (~6 GPa) than CNT brushes produced using other methods. Van der Waals' interactions in such dense brushes provide them with the added ability to dissipate energy while withstanding such elevated stresses. In comparison, lower density forests of Si nanowires (SNWs) have also been fabricated by metal induced chemical etching of silicon wafers (to avoid FIB-induced damages). A comparative study of the buckling and failure behavior during compression in these two unique material systems is expected to provide valuable insights into the cluster strengthening characteristics of such 1-D turfs.