Thermal rectification in multi-walled carbon nanotubes: A molecular dynamics study

K Gordiz and SMV Allaei and F Kowsary, APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS, 99, 251901 (2011).

DOI: 10.1063/1.3670327

Using nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations, we show if a multi- walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) is heated asymmetrically, an evident thermal rectification can be detected. We attribute the observed rectification to the asymmetric radial thermal transport between constructing layers in MWNT. The underlying physics is explained by calculating temperature distribution of MWNT layers and phonon power spectrum. Thermal rectification in this carbon nanotube based thermal rectifier does not diminish by increasing the system size, and exists in a wide range of temperatures. These results open a door in the applicability of MWNTs in nanoscale engineering of thermal transport devices. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. doi: 10.1063/1.3670327

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