Bending-induced delamination of van der Waals solids

J Phys Condens Matter. 2013 Oct 2;25(39):395303. doi: 10.1088/0953-8984/25/39/395303. Epub 2013 Sep 3.

Abstract

Although sheets of layered van der Waals solids offer great opportunities to custom-design nanomaterial properties, their weak interlayer adhesion challenges structural stability against mechanical deformation. Here, bending-induced delamination of multilayer sheets is investigated by molecular dynamics simulations, using graphene as an archetypal van der Waals solid. The simulations show that delamination of a graphene sheet occurs when its radius of curvature decreases roughly below Rc = 5.3 nm × (number of layers)(3/2) and that, as a rule, one-third of the layers get delaminated. These clear results are explained by a general and transparent model, a useful future reference for guiding the design of nanostructured van der Waals solids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't