Prediction of giant electroactuation for papyruslike carbon nanoscroll structures: First-principles calculations

We study by first-principles calculations the electromechanical response of carbon nanoscroll structures. We show that although they present a very similar behavior to carbon nanotubes in their axial deformation sensitivity, they exhibit a radial response upon charge injection which is up to one order of magnitude larger. In association with their high stability, this behavior makes them a natural choice for a new class of very efficient nanoactuators. © 2006 The American Physical Society.