The morphology of doubly-clamped graphene nanoribbons

Author(s): Christian Brand, Mohammad R A Monazam, Clemens Mangler, Yigal Lilach, Ori Cheshnovsky, Markus Arndt, Jani Kotakoski
Abstract: Understanding the response of micro/nano-patterned graphene to mechanical forces is instrumental for applications such as advanced graphene origami and kirigami. Here, we analyze free-standing nanoribbons milled into single-layer graphene by focused ion beam processing. Using transmission electron microscopy, we show that the length L of the structures determines their morphology. Nanoribbons with L below 300 nm remain mainly flat, whereas longer ribbons exhibit uni-axial crumpling or spontaneous scrolling, a trend that is well reproduced by molecular dynamics simulations. We measure the strain of the ribbons as well as their crystallinity by recording nanometer-resolved convergent beam electron diffraction maps, and show that the beam tails of the focused ion beam cause significant amorphization of the structures adjacent to the cuts. The expansive or compressive strain in the structures remains below 4%. Our measurements provide experimental constraints for the stability of free-standing graphene structures with respect to their geometry, providing guidelines for future applications of patterned graphene.
Organisation(s): Quantum Optics, Quantum Nanophysics and Quantum Information, Physics of Nanostructured Materials
External organisation(s): Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Tel Aviv University
Journal: 2D Materials
Volume: 8
No. of pages: 7
ISSN: 2053-1583
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1583/abe952
Publication date: 04-2021
Peer reviewed: Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012: 103042 Electron microscopy, 210004 Nanomaterials
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Condensed Matter Physics, Mechanics of Materials, Mechanical Engineering, General Chemistry, General Materials Science
Portal url: https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/26a314b3-b71c-4a8d-9990-53acce3de2f1