Topological effect on thermal conductivity in graphene

TL;DR

This study explores how the nontrivial topology of Mobius-like graphene strips significantly reduces their thermal conductivity compared to other graphene forms, due to enhanced phonon scattering and localization effects.

Contribution

It introduces the impact of topology on thermal conductivity in graphene, highlighting the unique properties of Mobius-like graphene strips through molecular dynamics simulations.

Findings

MGS has less than half the thermal conductivity of graphene nanoribbons.

Nontrivial topology enhances phonon-phonon scattering and localization.

Lower length/width ratio in MGS further reduces thermal conductivity.

Abstract

The topological effect on thermal conductivity is investigated through the comparison among graphene nanoribbons, carbon nanotubes and the Mobius-like graphene strips (MGS), by molecular dynamics simulation. It is found that the thermal conductivity of MGS is less than one half of that of graphene nanoribbons. The underlying mechanism whereby MGS acquire such low thermal conductivity may be attributable to the enhanced phonon-phonon scattering and localization property, which are induced by the nontrivial topology of Mobius strip. Moreover by counting in the dimensions of MGS, a lower length/width ratio reduces its thermal conductivity, as the phonon-phonon scattering and localization within might be further elevated.