Reversible mechanical and electrical properties of ripped graphene

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that graphene's mechanical rips can be elastically opened and closed, enabling reversible electrical properties under cyclic tensile strain, which enhances its robustness for flexible electronics.

Contribution

The paper reveals that micro-rips in graphene are reversible under cyclic strain, maintaining electrical performance despite initial mechanical damage.

Findings

Micro-rips form during initial tensile strain.

Subsequent strain cycles elastically open and close rips.

Electrical transport remains largely reversible after initial damage.

Abstract

We examine the mechanical properties of graphene devices stretched on flexible elastomer substrates. Using atomic force microscopy, transport measurements, and mechanics simulations, we show that micro-rips form in the graphene during the initial application of tensile strain; however subsequent applications of the same tensile strain elastically open and close the existing rips. Correspondingly, while the initial tensile strain degrades the devices' transport properties, subsequent strain-relaxation cycles affect transport only moderately, and in a largely reversible fashion, yielding robust electrical transport even after partial mechanical failure.