Measuring the Tensile Properties of the Nanostructure Using a Force Sensor

It is important to measure the mechanical properties of nanostructures because they are required to determine the lifetime and reliability of nanodevices developed for various fields. In this study, tensile tests for a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and a ZnO nanorod were performed in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The force sensor was a cantilever type and was mounted in front of a nanomanipulator placed in the chamber. The nanomanipulator was controlled using a joystick and personal computer. The nanostructures dispersed on the cut area of a transmission electron microscope (TEM) grid were gripped with the force sensor by exposing an electron beam in the SEM; the tensile tests were the performed. The in situ tensile loads of the nanostructure were obtained. After the tensile test, the cross-sectional areas of the nanostructures were observed by TEM and SEM. Based on the TEM and SEM results, the elastic modulus of the MWCNT and ZnO nanorod were calculated to be 0.98 TPa and 55.85 GPa, respectively.