Interlayer energy-optimum stacking registry for two curved graphene sheets of nanometre dimensions

Abstract

The interlayer energy between two circular graphene sheets of nanometre scale, which is curved into cylindrical shape with different curvature radius, is investigated by a molecular force field based on a registry-dependent interlayer interaction potential. It is found that there is a special interlayer stacking angle near which the interlayer energy is significantly lower. This interlayer energy-minimum stacking registry angle shifts away from the original Bernal (AB) stacking orientation when the curvature radius of curved graphene sheets is less than 20 nm, and increases with decreasing curvature radius beyond this point. The stability of interlayer energy-minimum stacking of the curved graphene sheets decreases with decreasing curvature radius.