Translational dynamics and friction in double-walled carbon nanotubes

We report on a study of the translational sliding motion and dynamic friction in systems of double-walled carbon nanotubes using molecular dynamics simulations combined with theoretical analysis. The sliding motion is described by a one-dimensional analytical model which includes the van der Waals force between the nanotubes, a dynamic friction force, and a small Langevin-type fluctuating force. The dynamic friction force is shown to be linear in the velocity over a large domain of initial conditions in armchair-armchair, zigzag-armchair, and zigzag-zigzag double-walled nanotubes. Beyond this domain, evidence is obtained for nonlinear effects which increase friction. In armchair-armchair systems, the dynamic friction is observed to be nonlinearly enhanced by the excitation of internal modes. In the linear domain, the coefficient of proportionality between the dynamic friction force and the velocity is shown to be given by Kirkwood’s formula in terms of the force autocorrelation function.