Snap-through instability of graphene on substrates

TL;DR

This paper investigates how substrate surface patterns and bonding energies cause graphene to switch abruptly between conforming and flat states, affecting its electronic properties for device applications.

Contribution

It introduces a model for the snap-through instability of graphene on patterned substrates, highlighting the role of surface corrugations and interfacial energy.

Findings

Graphene exhibits bistable morphology states on patterned substrates.

Surface corrugation and bonding energy control the snap-through transition.

Potential for tuning electronic properties via substrate patterning.

Abstract

We determine the graphene morphology regulated by substrates with herringbone and checkerboard surface corrugations. As the graphene/substrate interfacial bonding energy and the substrate surface roughness vary, the graphene morphology snaps between two distinct states: 1) closely conforming to the substrate and 2) remaining nearly flat on the substrate. Such a snapthrough instability of graphene can potentially lead to desirable electronic properties to enable graphene-based devices.