Nanoindentation study of the mechanical behavior of TiO2 nanotube arrays

Articles you may be interested in The study of the mechanical properties of Au films by nanoindentation techniques AIP Conf. High magnetic field annealing effect on visible photoluminescence enhancement of TiO2 nanotube arrays Appl. Magnetic and mechanical properties of rolled-up Au/Co/Au nanomembranes with multiple windings Direct observation of twin deformation in YBa2Cu3O7− x thin films by in situ nanoindentation in TEM Nanoscale mechanical behavior of vanadium doped ZnO piezoelectric nanofiber by nanoindentation technique Titanium dioxide (TiO 2) nanotube arrays are attracting increasing attention for use in solar cells, lithium-ion batteries, and biomedical implants. To take full advantage of their unique physical properties, such arrays need to maintain adequate mechanical integrity in applications. However, the mechanical performance of TiO 2 nanotube arrays is not well understood. In this work, we investigate the deformation and failure of TiO 2 nanotube arrays using the nanoindentation technique. We found that the load–displacement response of the arrays strongly depends on the indentation depth and indenter shape. Substrate-independent elastic modulus and hardness can be obtained when the indentation depth is less than 2.5% of the array height. The deformation mechanisms of TiO 2 nanotube arrays by Berkovich and conical indenters are closely associated with the densifica-tion of TiO 2 nanotubes under compression. A theoretical model for deformation of the arrays under a large-radius conical indenter is also proposed. V C 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.