Abstract
This study analyzed the mechanical and fracture behavior of graphene/copper (Cu) composites with different Cu thicknesses by using molecular dynamics (MD) and representative volume element (RVE) analysis. Three graphene/Cu composite analytical models were classified as 4.8, 9.8, and 14.3 nm according to Cu thicknesses. Using MD analysis, zigzag-, armchair-, and z (thickness)-direction tensile analyses were performed for each model to analyze the effect of Cu thickness variation on graphene/Cu composite strength and delamination fracture. In the RVE analysis, the mechanical characteristics of the interface between graphene and Cu were evaluated by setting the volume fraction to 1.39, 2.04, and 4.16% of the graphene/Cu composite model, classified according to the Cu thickness. From their obtained results, whether the graphene bond is maintained has the greatest effect on the strength of graphene/Cu composites, regardless of the Cu thickness. Additionally, graphene/Cu composites are more vulnerable to armchair direction tensile forces with fracture strengths of 14.7, 8.9, and 8.2 GPa depending on the Cu thickness. The results of this study will contribute to the development of guidelines and performance evaluation standards for graphene/Cu composites.
Highlights
Graphene, a structure with a hexagonal arrangement of carbon (C) atoms, is a thin and light nanomaterial with a thickness of 0.14 nm and a density of 0.77 mg/m2
The fracture stress decreased, delamination initiation began. These results show that precise analyses are needed to obtain the proper Cu thickness in graphene/Cu composites
Uniaxial tensile analyses were conducted considering three different directions to estimate the effects of Cu thickness on structural fracture and stress behavior in graphene/Cu composites
Summary
A structure with a hexagonal arrangement of carbon (C) atoms, is a thin and light nanomaterial with a thickness of 0.14 nm and a density of 0.77 mg/m2. Graphene is highly flexible and does not lose its intrinsic electrical conductivity when its area increases by more than 10% or it is bent. Graphene has a 0.5–1 TPa elastic modulus [1,2,3]. Graphene has infinite potential as a composite material due to its outstanding physical properties. To produce graphene on an industrial scale, it is necessary to consider a large area, high quality, and cost effectiveness. Zhuo et al [4] produced graphene by using an insulating substrate without a transfer process. Kamedulski et al [5] made graphene from graphite through wet chemical exfoliation methods
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