Abstract
Recent progress of simulations/modeling at the atomic level has led to a better understanding of the mechanical behaviors of graphene, which include the linear elastic modulus E, the nonlinear elastic modulus D, the Poisson’s ratio ν, the intrinsic strength σint and the corresponding strain εint as well as the ultimate strain εmax (the fracture strain beyond which the graphene lattice will be unstable). Due to the two-dimensional geometric characteristic, the in-plane tensile response and the free-standing indentation response of graphene are the focal points in this review. The studies are based on multiscale levels: including quantum mechanical and classical molecular dynamics simulations, and parallel continuum models. The numerical studies offer useful links between scientific research with engineering application, which may help to fulfill graphene potential applications such as nano sensors, nanotransistors, and other nanodevices.
Highlights
Free standing indentation testing based on atomic force microscope (AFM) is the most effective way to measure the elastic modulus of graphene: Lee et al [4] reported the value of E of 1.02 TPa of graphene monolayer; Frank et al [10] determined a value of E of 0.5 TPa of a stack of graphene sheets (n < 5)
The elastic modulus E of monolayer graphene is typically measured by free standing indentation technique based on AFM, whereas the intrinsic stress σint cannot be directly measured, which is determined from the inverse analysis of the experimental data with the help of finite element modeling (FEM) [4,71]
The atomic studies of the mechanical response of graphene under in-plane tension and free standing indentation are briefly reviewed in this paper, which provide a critical link between the science underpinning graphene and its engineering applications
Summary
Since its discovery in 2004, graphene has attracted extensive research investigations, thanks to its remarkable electrical, thermal, chemical and mechanical properties: (a) high thermal conductivity (5000 W/mK) [1]; (b) high charge carrier mobility at room temperature (15,000 cm2/Vs) [2]; (c) high specific surface area (2630 m2/g) [3]; and (d) high elastic modulus (1.02 TPa) and intrinsic strength (130 GPa) [4], which promise wide range of their potential applications in nano devices (e.g., sensors or Polymers 2014, 6 resonators), graphene-based composites and so on [5,6,7,8,9]. Free standing indentation testing based on atomic force microscope (AFM) is the most effective way to measure the elastic modulus of graphene: Lee et al [4] reported the value of E of 1.02 TPa of graphene monolayer; Frank et al [10] determined a value of E of 0.5 TPa of a stack of graphene sheets (n < 5). Since the experiments at nanoscale are highly challenging to perform, theoretical and numerical studies have emerged as an effective way to investigate the intrinsic mechanical properties of graphene. These studies can provide critical insights on the mechanical behavior of graphene
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