CNT-Based Architected Metamaterials: Thermo-Mechanical Characteristics*

This study proposes a novel fcc lattice-like nanotruss with carbon nanotubes and 12-terminal junctions as building blocks. Thermal and mechanical properties of this novel CNT-based architected nanotrusses are systematically predicted and a comparison study is conducted between fcc and sc lattice-like nanotrusses using molecular dynamics simulation. Our findings demonstrate that the fcc lattice-like nanotrusses are lightweight, mechanically robust, and thermally insulative nano-architected metamaterials with high thermal stability and tunable thermo-mechanical properties which are superior to most existing advanced materials. The introduced CNT-based architected metamaterials can be used for applications in aerospace sector, nanoelectronic devices, hydrogen storage, and structurally robust thermal insulators. Our observations shall shed lights on design and manufacturing of next-generation multifunctional metamaterials.