Effect of chemical modification of edge atoms of graphene sheets on their strength

TL;DR

This paper investigates how chemical modifications at the edges of graphene sheets affect their mechanical strength, revealing anisotropic behavior and the importance of edge chemistry in deformation processes.

Contribution

It introduces a molecular theory-based analysis of edge chemical modifications on graphene's mechanical properties, highlighting their significant impact.

Findings

Edge chemical modifications alter graphene's strength.

Mechanical behavior is highly anisotropic.

Edge chemistry influences deformation mechanisms.

Abstract

Basing on the molecular theory of graphene, the influence of the chemical modification of edge atoms of a graphene sheet is studied in terms of mechanochemical reactions. The mechanical behavior of graphene is shown to be not only highly anisotropic with respect to the direction of the load application, but greatly dependent on the chemical modification of the edges as well. A topological character of the graphene deformation is discussed.