Thermal rectification in thickness-asymmetric graphene nanoribbons

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that thickness-asymmetric graphene nanoribbons can effectively function as thermal rectifiers, with rectification efficiency influenced by temperature and thickness ratio, highlighting potential for nanoscale thermal management.

Contribution

It provides the first direct evidence of thermal rectification in thickness-asymmetric graphene nanoribbons connecting single- and multi-layer graphene.

Findings

Thermal rectification factor varies with temperature.

Rectification depends on the thickness ratio of the nanoribbon segments.

Thermal rectification observed in a nanostructure crossing 2D and 3D structures.

Abstract

Thermal rectification in thickness asymmetric graphene nanoribbons connecting single-layer with multi-layer graphene is investigated by using classical nonequilibrium molecular dynamics. It is reported that the graphene nanoribbons with thickness-asymmetry have a good thermal rectification. The thermal rectification factor depends on temperature as well as the thickness-ratio of the two-segment. Our results provide a direct evidence that the thermal rectifier can be achieved in a nanostructure crossing two- and three-dimension.