Layer-dependent interface adhesion energy of graphene in a curved substrate

Abstract

In order to clarify the interface adhesion properties between graphene (Gr) membrane and curved substrate, we investigate three kinds of systems, including Gr/Si nanowire, Gr/Si nanotube and Gr/silicene in terms of continuum medium mechanics and nanothermodynamics. We find that the interface adhesion energy is determined by the thickness of the Gr and curvature of the substrate. The coupling role of the surface effect and interface confinement affects the strain energy and induces the strain redistribution in the Gr and curved substrate, resulting in the interface adhesion energy increasing with diminishing thickness of Gr and increasing curvature of the substrate. Our findings can be expected to be applied to the design of Gr-based electronic devices.