Giant axial electrostrictive deformation in carbon nanotubes

An exceptionally large axial electrostrictive deformation is demonstrated in single walled carbon nanotubes using Hartree-Fock and density functional quantum mechanics simulations. Armchair and zigzag open-ended tubes and capped tubes are studied and in all of them the external electric field induced axial strains can be greater than 10% for a field strength within 1 V/Angstrom. The corresponding volumetric and gravimetric work capacities are predicted to be three and six orders higher than those of the best known ferroelectric, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive materials and elastomers, respectively.