Nanoindentation of Graphene/Phospholipid Nanocomposite: A Molecular Dynamics Study

Molecules. 2021 Jan 11;26(2):346. doi: 10.3390/molecules26020346.

Abstract

Graphene and phospholipids are widely used in biosensing and drug delivery. This paper studies the mechanical and electronic properties of a composite based on two graphene flakes and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) phospholipid molecules located between them via combination of various mathematical modeling methods. Molecular dynamics simulation showed that an adhesion between bilayer graphene and DPCC increases during nanoindentation of the composite by a carbon nanotube (CNT). Herewith, the DPPC molecule located under a nanotip takes the form of graphene and is not destroyed. By the Mulliken procedure, it was shown that the phospholipid molecules act as a "buffer" of charge between two graphene sheets and CNT. The highest values of electron transfer in the graphene/DPPC system were observed at the lower indentation point, when the deflection reached its maximum value.

Keywords: electron transfer; graphene; local stress; molecular dynamics; nanoindentation; phospholipids.

MeSH terms

  • 1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine / chemistry*
  • Electrons
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry*
  • Nanocomposites / ultrastructure
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / ultrastructure
  • Stress, Mechanical

Substances

  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • 1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine
  • Graphite