Repeatable mechanical energy absorption of ZnO nanopillars

Abstract

We show that repeatable energy absorption can be obtained via the reversible wurtzite-to-hexagonal phase transformation of ZnO nanopillars at room temperature. The effect is demonstrated using molecular dynamics simulations and available experimental data. With uniaxial compressive strains up to 22.1% along the [0001] orientation, a ZnO nanopillar with a lateral dimension of 5.5 nm can produce average specific energy absorption on the order of 26.7 J g−1 under quasistatic cyclic loading and 11.1 J g−1 under rapid loading. The theoretical maximum of the specific energy absorption is 41.0 J g−1 which can be approached at nanopillars with lateral sizes above 55 nm. These values are comparable to that of widely used aluminum foams. The effects of inversion domain boundaries and sample size on the repeatable energy absorbing capacity are discussed. The findings open an avenue for ZnO nanostructures in mechanical energy absorption and dissipation applications.