Effect of external conditions on the structure of scrolled graphene edges

TL;DR

This paper analyzes how external conditions influence the structure of scrolled graphene edges by modeling energy competitions, aligning with experimental data, and exploring electrostatic control for potential device applications.

Contribution

It introduces a model balancing elastic, van der Waals, and electrostatic energies to predict graphene scroll structures, validated by simulations and experiments.

Findings

Model accurately predicts characteristic dimensions of graphene scrolls.

Electrostatic control of wrapping is practically feasible.

Potential for device applications through electrostatic manipulation.

Abstract

Characteristic dimensions of carbon nanoscrolls - "buckyrolls" - are calculated by analyzing the competition between elastic, van der Waals, and electrostatic energies for representative models of suspended and substrate-deposited graphene samples. The results are consistent with both atomistic simulations and experimental observations of scrolled graphene edges. Electrostatic control of the wrapping is shown to be practically feasible and its possible device applications are indicated.