Multiple radial corrugations in multiwalled carbon nanotubes under pressure

Radial elastic corrugation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes under hydrostatic pressure is demonstrated by using the continuum elastic theory. Various corrugation patterns are observed under a pressure of several GPa, wherein the stable cross-sectional shape depends on the innermost tube diameter D and the total number N of concentric walls. A phase diagram is established to obtain the requisite values of D and N for a desired corrugation pattern among choices. In all corrugation patterns, the cylindrical symmetry of the innermost tube is maintained even under high external pressure.