Carbon nanotube mats and fibers with irradiation-improved mechanical characteristics: a theoretical model.

We employ a theoretical model to calculate mechanical characteristics of macroscopic mats and fibers of single-walled carbon nanotubes. We further investigate irradiation-induced covalent bonds between nanotubes and their effects on the tensile strength of nanotube mats and fibers. We show that the stiffness and strength of the mats can be increased at least by an order of magnitude, and thus small-dose irradiation with energetic particles is a promising tool for making macroscopic nanotube materials with excellent mechanical characteristics.