The morphology of graphene on an elastic graded substrate

Abstract

We study snap-through transition and morphology of multilayer graphene on an elastic substrate, which has power-law grading modulus. It is indicated that both the inhomogeneous thickness and graded parameter of substrate have effects on corrugation and snap-through transition of graphene. The increase of graded parameter of substrate results in less corrugation of graphene. The snap-through transition of graphene is more likely to happen for larger graded parameter or thickness of substrate. This work provides theoretical guidance to control graphene morphology by changing the substrate thickness and grade in certain case.