Analysis of nonlinear axial vibration of single-walled carbon nanotubes using Homotopy perturbation method

This paper investigates the nonlinear axial vibration of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) based on Homotopy perturbation method (HPM). A second order partial differential equation that governs the nonlinear axial vibration for such nanotubes is derived using doublet mechanics (DM) theory. To obtain the nonlinear natural frequency in axial vibration mode, this nonlinear equation is solved using HPM. The influences of some commonly used boundary conditions, amplitude of vibration, changes in vibration modes and variations of the nanotubes geometrical parameters on the nonlinear axial vibration characteristics of SWCNTs are discussed. It was shown that unlike the linear one, the nonlinear natural frequency is dependent to maximum vibration amplitude. Increasing the maximum vibration amplitude decreases the natural frequency of vibration compared to the predictions of the linear models. However, with increase in tube length, the effect of the amplitude on the natural frequency decreases. It was also shown that the amount and variation of nonlinear natural frequency is more apparent in higher mode vibration and two clamped boundary conditions. To show the accuracy and capability of this method, the results obtained herein were compared with the fourth order Runge–Kuta numerical results and good agreement was observed. It is notable that the results generated herein are new and can be served as a benchmark for future works.