Strength of nanotubes , filaments and nanowires from sonication - induced scission ∗

We propose a simple model to describe the cavitation-induced breakage of mesoscale filaments during their sonication in solution. The model predicts a limiting length below which scission no longer occurs. This characteristic length is a function of the tensile strength and diameter of the filament, as well as the solvent viscosity and cavitation parameters. We show that the model predicts accurately experimental results for materials ranging from carbon nanotubes to protein fibrils, and discuss the use of sonication-induced breakage as a probe for the strength of nanostructures. ∗This work was supported by the IRC in Nanotechnology, the EPSRC, the Gates Foundation and St. John’s College.