Thermal rectification in carbon nanotube intramolecular junctions: Molecular dynamics calculations

Abstract

We study heat conduction in (n,0)/(2n,0) intramolecular junctions by using molecular dynamics method. It is found that the heat conduction is asymmetric, namely, heat transports preferably in one direction. This phenomenon is also called thermal rectification. The rectification is weakly dependent on the detailed structure of connection part but is strongly dependent on the temperature gradient. We also study the effect of the tube radius and intramolecular junction length on the rectification. Our study shows that the tensile stress can increase rectification. The physical mechanism of the rectification is explained. © 2007 The American Physical Society.