01.05.17
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) found a simpler way to measure adhesion between graphene sheets, compared to a sophisticated method used in a 2015 study: They measured how much graphene deflects when neon atoms poke it from below to create “bubbles.”
Each bubble’s curvature encodes properties such as sheet flexibility and adhesion. Stacking atomically thin materials opens a pathway toward new energy and electronic applications.
“We discovered a new method to measure adhesion of layered materials at very small length scales,” said Petro Maksymovych. “It’s a simple way to probe a large number of two-dimensional materials and ask how their mechanical properties vary with modifications. It also opens an avenue for atomic-scale control over 2D materials without defects, which may prove useful to achieve their full potential in future technologies.”
Each bubble’s curvature encodes properties such as sheet flexibility and adhesion. Stacking atomically thin materials opens a pathway toward new energy and electronic applications.
“We discovered a new method to measure adhesion of layered materials at very small length scales,” said Petro Maksymovych. “It’s a simple way to probe a large number of two-dimensional materials and ask how their mechanical properties vary with modifications. It also opens an avenue for atomic-scale control over 2D materials without defects, which may prove useful to achieve their full potential in future technologies.”