Recoverable Slippage Mechanism in Multilayer Graphene Leads to Repeatable Energy Dissipation

Mechanical modulation of 2D transition metal dichalcogenide alloys

Controlling the mechanical properties of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) is essential for their integration into advanced flexible electronic and optoelectronic devices. Alloying these materials allows modulation of their optical characteristics and energy structure, greatly improving their design flexibility and functionality. However, the impact of alloying on their mechanical behavior has remained uncovered. We developed a novel means for alloying suspended TMD devices. Specifically, we synthesized Mo1-xWxS2 nano-drumheads using a diffusion-based alloying process, in which we first mechanically exfoliated WS2 nano-drumheads followed by the diffusion of Mo atoms into them, thereby yielding a wide range of possible atomic compositions (0 ≤ x ≤ 1). Then, we studied their mechanical properties via atomic force microscopy force-spectroscopy and Raman analyses, from which we correlated the mechanical resistance of the alloys with their atomic composition and showed that a high concentration of W atoms is associated with a high Young's modulus. Atomistic simulations demonstrate how the estimated Young's modulus follows the same trend. Therefore, this work presents a process for alloying nano-drumheads and sheds light on the fundamental mechanics of Mo1-xWxS2. By doing so we demonstrate their tunability in terms of atomic composition and open the path for their integration into advanced applications, such as tunable sensors and flexible electronics.

Four ribbons of double-layer graphene suspending masses for NEMS applications

Graphene ribbons with a suspended proof mass for nanomechanical systems have been rarely studied. Here, we report three types of nanomechanical devices consisting of graphene ribbons (two ribbons, four ribbons-cross and four ribbons-parallel) with suspended Si proof masses and studied their mechanical properties. The resonance frequencies and built-in stresses of three types of devices ranged from tens of kHz to hundreds of kHz, and from 82.61 MPa to 545.73 MPa, respectively, both of which decrease with the increase of the size of proof mass. The devices with four graphene ribbons featured higher resonance frequencies and spring constants, but lower built-in stresses than two ribbon devices under otherwise identical conditions. The Young's modulus and fracture strain of double-layer graphene were measured to be 0.34 TPa and 1.13% respectively, by using the experimental data and finite element analysis (FEA) simulations. Our studies would lay the foundation for understanding of mechanical properties of graphene ribbons with a suspended proof mass and their potential applications in nanoelectromechanical systems.

Highly Regular Layered Structure via Dual-Spatially-Confined Alignment of Nanosheets Enables High-Performance Nanocomposites

Assembling ultrathin nanosheets into layered structure represents one promising way to fabricate high-performance nanocomposites. However, how to minimize the internal defects of the layered assemblies to fully exploit the intrinsic mechanical superiority of nanosheets remains challenging. Here, a dual-scale spatially confined strategy for the co-assembly of ultrathin nanosheets with different aspect ratios into a near-perfect layered structure is developed. Large-aspect-ratio (LAR) nanosheets are aligned due to the microscale confined space of a flat microfluidic channel, small-aspect-ratio (SAR) nanosheets are aligned due to the nanoscale confined space between adjacent LAR nanosheets. During this co-assembly process, SAR nanosheets can flatten LAR nanosheets, thus reducing wrinkles and pores of the assemblies. Benefiting from the precise alignment (orientation degree of 90.74%) of different-sized nanosheets, efficient stress transfer between nanosheets and interlayer matrix is achieved, resulting in layered nanocomposites with multiscale mechanical enhancement and superior fatigue durability (100 000 bending cycles). The proposed co-assembly strategy can be used to orderly integrate high-quality nanosheets with different sizes or diverse functions toward high-performance or multifunctional nanocomposites.

Mechanical reinforcement from two-dimensional nanofillers: model, bulk and hybrid polymer nanocomposites

Thanks to their intrinsic properties, multifunctionality and unique geometrical features, two-dimensional nanomaterials have been used widely as reinforcements in polymer nanocomposites. The effective mechanical reinforcement of polymers is, however, a multifaceted problem as it depends not only on the intrinsic properties of the fillers and the matrix, but also upon a number of other important parameters. These parameters include the processing method, the interfacial properties, the aspect ratio, defects, orientation, agglomeration and volume fraction of the fillers. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the mechanical reinforcement of polymer nanocomposites from two-dimensional nanofillers with an emphasis on the mechanisms of reinforcement. Model, bulk and hybrid polymer nanocomposites are reviewed comprehensively. The use of Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopies is examined in light of the distinctive information they can yield upon stress transfer at interfaces. It is shown that the very diverse family of 2D nanofillers includes a number of materials that can attribute distrinctive features to a polymeric matrix, and we focus on the mechanical properties of both graphene and some of the most important 2D materials beyond graphene, including boron nitride, molybdenum disulphide, other transition metal dichalcogenides, MXenes and black phosphorous. In the first part of the review we evaluate the mechanical properties of 2D nanoplatelets in "model" nanocomposites. Next we examine how the performance of these materials can be optimised in bulk nanocomposites. Finally, combinations of these 2D nanofillers with other 2D nanomaterials or with nanofillers of other dimensions are assessed thoroughly, as such combinations can lead to additive or even synergistic mechanical effects. Existing unsolved problems and future perspectives are discussed.

Anisotropic Fracture of Two-Dimensional Ta2NiSe5

Anisotropic two-dimensional materials present a diverse range of physical characteristics, making them well-suited for applications in photonics and optoelectronics. While mechanical properties play a crucial role in determining the reliability and efficacy of 2D material-based devices, the fracture behavior of anisotropic 2D crystals remains relatively unexplored. Toward this end, we herein present the first measurement of the anisotropic fracture toughness of 2D Ta2NiSe5 by microelectromechanical system-based tensile tests. Our findings reveal a significant in-plane anisotropic ratio (∼3.0), accounting for crystal orientation-dependent crack paths. As the thickness increases, we observe an intriguing intraplanar-to-interplanar transition of fracture along the a-axis, manifesting as stepwise crack features attributed to interlayer slippage. In contrast, ruptures along the c-axis surprisingly exhibit persistent straightness and smoothness regardless of thickness, owing to the robust interlayer shear resistance. Our work affords a promising avenue for the construction of future electronics based on nanoribbons with atomically sharp edges.

Mechanical and vibrational behaviors of bilayer hexagonal boron nitride in different stacking modes

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is a semiconductor material with a wide band gap, which has great potential to serve as a nanoresonators in microelectronics and mass and force sensing fields. This paper investigates the mechanical properties and natural frequencies of bilayer h-BN nanosheets under five different stacking modes, which have been rarely studied, using molecular dynamics simulations. The mechanical properties, including Young's modulus, the ultimate stress, ultimate strain, Poisson's ratio and shear modulus, are studied for all five stacking modes. And the effects of strain rate, crystal orientation and temperature to bilayer h-BN nanosheets' tensile properties have also been studied. Our findings suggest that bilayer h-BN nanosheets are basically an anisotropic material whose tensile properties vary substantially with stacking modes and temperature. Moreover, the natural frequencies are proposed in an explicit form based on the nonlocal theory. The differences of the fundamental natural frequencies among different stacking modes are affected by the constraint condition of bilayer h-BN sheet. The theory results match well with the simulation results. These findings establish elementary understandings of the mechanical behavior and vibration character of bilayer h-BN nanosheets under five different stacking modes, which could benefit its application in advanced nanodevices.

Mechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of Stacked and Grafted Graphene/Graphene Oxide-Polyethylene Nanocomposites: A Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Study

High-performance natural materials with superior mechanical properties often possess a hierarchical structure across multiple length scales. Nacre, also known as the mother of pearl, is an example of such a material and exhibits remarkable strength and toughness. The layered hierarchical architecture across different length scales is responsible for the efficient toughness and energy dissipation. To develop high-performance artificial nacre-like composites, it is necessary to mimic this layered structure and understand the molecular phenomena at the interface. This study uses coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the structure-property relationship of stacked graphene-polyethylene (PE) nanocomposites. Uniaxial and oscillatory shear deformation simulations were conducted to explore the composites' mechanical and viscoelastic behavior. The effect of grafting on the glass-transition temperature and the mechanical and viscoelastic behavior was also examined. The two examined microstructures, the stacked and grafted GnP (graphene nanoplatelet)-PE composites, demonstrated significant enhancement in the Young's modulus and yield strength when compared to the pristine PE. The study also delves into the viscoelastic properties of polyethylene nanocomposites containing graphene and graphene oxide. The grafted composite demonstrated an increased elastic energy and improved capacity for stress transfer. Our study sheds light on the energy dissipation properties of layered nanocomposites through underlying molecular mechanisms, providing promising prospects for designing novel biomimetic polymer nanocomposites.

Biomedical applications of magnetosomes: State of the art and perspectives

Magnetosomes, synthesized by magnetotactic bacteria (MTB), have been used in nano- and biotechnological applications, owing to their unique properties such as superparamagnetism, uniform size distribution, excellent bioavailability, and easily modifiable functional groups. In this review, we first discuss the mechanisms of magnetosome formation and describe various modification methods. Subsequently, we focus on presenting the biomedical advancements of bacterial magnetosomes in biomedical imaging, drug delivery, anticancer therapy, biosensor. Finally, we discuss future applications and challenges. This review summarizes the application of magnetosomes in the biomedical field, highlighting the latest advancements and exploring the future development of magnetosomes.

Superior mechanical properties of multilayer covalent-organic frameworks enabled by rationally tuning molecular interlayer interactions

Two-dimensional (2D) covalent-organic frameworks (COFs) with a well-defined and tunable periodic porous skeleton are emerging candidates for lightweight and strong 2D polymeric materials. It remains challenging, however, to retain the superior mechanical properties of monolayer COFs in a multilayer stack. Here, we successfully demonstrated a precise layer control in synthesizing atomically thin COFs, enabling a systematic study of layer-dependent mechanical properties of 2D COFs with two different interlayer interactions. It was shown that the methoxy groups in COFTAPB-DMTP provided enhanced interlayer interactions, leading to layer-independent mechanical properties. In sharp contrast, mechanical properties of COFTAPB-PDA decreased significantly as the layer number increased. We attributed these results to higher energy barriers against interlayer sliding due to the presence of interlayer hydrogen bonds and possible mechanical interlocking in COFTAPB-DMTP, as revealed by density functional theory calculations.

A Review of the Mechanical Properties of Graphene Aerogel Materials: Experimental Measurements and Computer Simulations

Graphene aerogels (GAs) combine the unique properties of two-dimensional graphene with the structural characteristics of microscale porous materials, exhibiting ultralight, ultra-strength, and ultra-tough properties. GAs are a type of promising carbon-based metamaterials suitable for harsh environments in aerospace, military, and energy-related fields. However, there are still some challenges in the application of graphene aerogel (GA) materials, which requires an in-depth understanding of the mechanical properties of GAs and the associated enhancement mechanisms. This review first presents experimental research works related to the mechanical properties of GAs in recent years and identifies the key parameters that dominate the mechanical properties of GAs in different situations. Then, simulation works on the mechanical properties of GAs are reviewed, the deformation mechanisms are discussed, and the advantages and limitations are summarized. Finally, an outlook on the potential directions and main challenges is provided for future studies in the mechanical properties of GA materials.

Layer-Dependent Nanowear of Graphene Oxide

The mechanical performance and surface friction of graphene oxide (GO) were found to inversely depend on the number of layers. Here, we demonstrate the non-monotonic layer-dependence of the nanowear resistance of GO nanosheets deposited on a native silicon oxide substrate. As the thickness of GO increases from ∼0.9 nm to ∼14.5 nm, the nanowear resistance initially demonstrated a decreasing and then an increasing tendency with a critical number of layers of 4 (∼3.6 nm in thickness). This experimental tendency corresponds to a change of the underlying wear mode from the overall removal to progressive layer-by-layer removal. The phenomenon of overall removal disappeared as GO was deposited on an H-DLC substrate with a low surface energy, while the nanowear resistance of thicker GO layers was always higher. Combined with density functional theory calculations, the wear resistance of few-layer GO was found to correlate with the substrate's surface energy. This can be traced back to substrate-dependent adhesive strengths of GO, which correlated with the GO thickness originating from differences in the interfacial charge transfer. Our study proposes a strategy to improve the antiwear properties of 2D layered materials by tuning their own thickness and/or the interfacial interaction with the underlying substrate.

Investigation of Dynamic Impact Responses of Layered Polymer-Graphene Nanocomposite Films Using Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Polymer nanocomposite films have recently shown superior energy dissipation capability through the micro-projectile impact testing method. However, how stress waves interact with nanointerfaces and the underlying deformation mechanisms have remained largely elusive. This paper investigates the detailed stress wave propagation process and dynamic failure mechanisms of layered poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) - graphene nanocomposite films during piston impact through coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. The spatiotemporal contours of stress and local density clearly demonstrate shock front, reflected wave, and release wave. By plotting shock front velocity (U s ) against piston velocity (U p ), we find that the linear Hugoniot U s - U p relationship generally observed for bulk polymer systems also applies to the layered nanocomposite system. When the piston reaches a critical velocity, PMMA crazing can emerge at the location where the major reflected wave and release wave meet. We show that the activation of PMMA crazing significantly enhances the energy dissipation ratio of the nanocomposite films, defined as the ratio between the dissipated energy through irreversible deformation and the input kinetic energy. The ratio maximizes at the critical U p when the PMMA crazing starts to develop and then decreases as U p further increases. We also find that a critical PMMA-graphene interfacial strength is required to activate PMMA crazing instead of interfacial separation. Additionally, layer thickness affects the amount of input kinetic energy and dissipated energy of nanocomposite films under impact. This study provides important insights into the detailed dynamic deformation mechanisms and how nanointerfaces/nanostructures affect the energy dissipation capability of layered nanocomposite films.

Preparation, Characterization, and Drug Delivery of Hexagonal Boron Nitride-Borate Bioactive Glass Biomimetic Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering

In this study, biomimetic borate-based bioactive glass scaffolds containing hexagonal boron nitride hBN nanoparticles (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2% by weight) were manufactured with the polymer foam replication technique to be used in hard tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. To create three-dimensional cylindrical-shaped scaffolds, polyurethane foams were used as templates and covered using a suspension of glass and hBN powder mixture. Then, a heat treatment was applied at 570 °C in an air atmosphere to remove the polymer foam from the structure and to sinter the glass structures. The structural, morphological, and mechanical properties of the fabricated composites were examined in detail. The in vitro bioactivity of the prepared composites was tested in simulated body fluid, and the release behavior of gentamicin sulfate and 5-fluorouracil from glass scaffolds were analyzed separately as a function of time. The cytotoxicity was investigated using osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. The findings indicated that the hBN nanoparticles, up to a certain concentration in the glass matrix, improved the mechanical strength of the glass scaffolds, which mimic the cancellous bone. Additionally, the inclusion of hBN nanoparticles enhanced the in vitro hydroxyapatite-forming ability of bioactive glass composites. The presence of hBN nanoparticles accelerated the drug release rates of the system. It was concluded that bioactive glass/hBN composite scaffolds mimicking native bone tissue could be used for bone tissue repair and regeneration applications.

Chemical-Induced Slippage in Bulk WSe2

Layered transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are the focus of intense research owing to their semiconducting properties and applications in many fields of research. In addition to intercalation and exfoliation, physical strain modulation has been reported as a way to mechanically induce the slippage of layers and influence the properties of TMDs. In this work, we report the chemically induced slippage of layers in bulk tungsten diselenide (WSe₂). Powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and thermal analysis suggest that slippage is easily achieved by grinding in the presence of common solvents. Chemically induced slippage of TMDs may represent an intermediate step leading to the exfoliation of these materials. We anticipate that chemical slippage will widen the synthetic utility and advance our understanding of the mechanical and optoelectronic properties of layered materials.

Effect of Four Groups of GO-CF/EP Composites with Ideal Infiltration Structure and Different Layering Ways on Damping Properties

In this paper, four groups of graphene oxide and carbon fiber hybrid-reinforced resin matrix (GO-CF/EP) composites with different layering ways were prepared by a vacuum infiltration hot pressing system (VIHPS). The damping properties of the specimens with different layering ways were tested by the force hammer method, and the micromorphology of the specimens was photographed by scanning electron microscope. The experimental results showed that the damping properties of GO-CF/EP composites gradually increased with the increase in the number of Y-direction layers. The [XYXYXY]₆ has the best damping property, with a damping ratio of 1.187%. The damping ratio is 5.3 times higher than that of [XXXXXX]₆ layer mode, and the first-order natural frequency is 77.7 Hz. This is mainly because the stiffness of the X-direction layer is larger than that of the Y-direction layer, and its resistance to deformation is considerable. Therefore, its decay rate is slower. The Y-direction layer has weak resistance to deformation and fast energy attenuation. The increase in the number of Y-direction layers will lead to the overall increase in, and the improvement of, the damping properties of GO-CF/EP composites.

Unusual Deformation and Fracture in Gallium Telluride Multilayers

The deformation and fracture mechanism of two-dimensional (2D) materials are still unclear and not thoroughly investigated. Given this, mechanical properties and mechanisms are explored on example of gallium telluride (GaTe), a promising 2D semiconductor with an ultrahigh photoresponsivity and a high flexibility. Hereby, the mechanical properties of both substrate-supported and suspended GaTe multilayers were investigated through Berkovich-tip nanoindentation instead of the commonly used AFM-based nanoindentation method. An unusual concurrence of multiple pop-in and load-drop events in loading curve was observed. Theoretical calculations unveiled this concurrence originating from the interlayer-sliding mediated layers-by-layers fracture mechanism in GaTe multilayers. The van der Waals force dominated interlayer interactions between GaTe and substrates was revealed much stronger than that between GaTe interlayers, resulting in the easy sliding and fracture of multilayers within GaTe. This work introduces new insights into the deformation and fracture of GaTe and other 2D materials in flexible electronics applications.

Mechanical sensors based on two-dimensional materials: Sensing mechanisms, structural designs and wearable applications

Compared with bulk materials, atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) crystals possess a range of unique mechanical properties, including relatively high in-plane stiffness and large bending flexibility. The atomic 2D building blocks can be reassembled into precisely designed heterogeneous composite structures of various geometries with customized mechanical sensing behaviors. Due to their small specific density, high flexibility, and environmental adaptability, mechanical sensors based on 2D materials can conform to soft and curved surfaces, thus providing suitable solutions for functional applications in future wearable devices. In this review, we summarize the latest developments in mechanical sensors based on 2D materials from the perspective of function-oriented applications. First, typical mechanical sensing mechanisms are introduced. Second, we attempt to establish a correspondence between typical structure designs and the performance/multi-functions of the devices. Afterward, several particularly promising areas for potential applications are discussed, following which we present perspectives on current challenges and future opportunities

Fatigue in assemblies of indefatigable carbon nanotubes

Despite being one of the most consequential processes in the utilization of structural materials, fatigue at the nano- and mesoscale has been marginally explored or understood even for the most promising nanocarbon forms—nanotubes and graphene. By combining atomistic models with kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, we show that a pristine carbon nanotube under ambient working conditions is essentially indefatigable—accumulating no structural memory of prior load; over time, it probabilistically breaks, abruptly. In contrast, by using coarse-grained modeling, we demonstrate that any practical assemblies of nanotubes, e.g., bundles and fibers, display a clear gradual strength degradation in cyclic tensile loading due to recurrence and ratchet-up of slip at the tube-tube interfaces, not occurring under static load even of equal amplitude.

Dynamic Mechanical Behaviors of Nacre-Inspired Graphene-Polymer Nanocomposites Depending on Internal Nanostructures

Nacre, a natural nanocomposite with a brick-and-mortar structure existing in the inner layer of mollusk shells, has been shown to optimize strength and toughness along the laminae (in-plane) direction. However, such natural materials more often experience impact load in the direction perpendicular to the layers (i.e., out-of-plane direction) from predators. The dynamic responses and deformation mechanisms of layered structures under impact load in the out-of-plane direction have been much less analyzed. This study investigates the dynamic mechanical behaviors of nacre-inspired layered nanocomposite films using a model system that comprises alternating multi-layer graphene (MLG) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phases. With a validated coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation approach, we systematically study the mechanical properties and impact resistance of the MLG-PMMA nanocomposite films with different internal nanostructures, which are characterized by the layer thickness and number of repetitions while keeping the total volume constant. We find that as the layer thickness decreases, the effective modulus of the polymer phase confined by the adjacent MLG phases increases. Using ballistic impact simulations to explore the dynamic responses of nanocomposite films in the out-of-plane direction, we find that the impact resistance and dynamic failure mechanisms of the films depend on the internal nanostructures. Specifically, when each layer is relatively thick, the nanocomposite is more prone to spalling-like failure induced by compressive stress waves from the projectile impact. Whereas, when there are more repetitions, and each layer becomes relatively thin, a high-velocity projectile sequentially penetrates the nanocomposite film. In the low projectile velocity regime, the film develops crazing-like deformation zones in PMMA phases. We also show that the position of the soft PMMA phase relative to the stiff graphene sheets plays a significant role in the ballistic impact performance of the investigated films. Our study provides insights into the effect of nanostructures on the dynamic mechanical behaviors of layered nanocomposites, which can lead to effective design strategies for impact-resistant films.

Load-dependent energy dissipation induced by the tip-membrane friction on suspended 2D materials

The tip-membrane interface plays a critical role in characterizing the mechanical properties of ultrathin 2D materials by commonly employed nanoindentation based on atomic force microscopy (AFM). However, the reliability of the assumption that the tip-membrane interface remains pinned during nanoindentation remains unclear, which may introduce unignorable uncertainty in evaluating their true mechanical properties. In this work, it is reported that load-dependent frictional behavior would occur on the tip-membrane interface during nanoindentation tests on monolayer and multilayer suspended WS₂ and graphene, and the curve hysteresis could be well explained by the stick-slip behavior. Further analyses and finite element simulations demonstrated that the frictional energy dissipation should be mainly attributed to the frictional behavior along the direction parallel to the cantilever beam. Meanwhile, the in-plane membrane stiffness was mainly responsible for the different frictional behavior on monolayer and multilayer 2D materials. Based on these analyses, some suggestions were proposed to help reduce the uncertainty when extracting the mechanical properties of 2D materials. These findings not only facilitate the deep understanding of the origin of the curve hysteresis during nanoindentation, but also help to evaluate the mechanical properties of 2D materials in a more reliable way.

Mechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of Wrinkled Graphene Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites - Effect of Interlayer Sliding within Graphene Sheets

Multilayer graphene sheets (MLGSs) are promising nano-reinforcements that can effectively enhance the properties of polymer matrices. Despite many studies on MLGSs-reinforced polymer nanocomposites, the effect of wrinkles formed in MLGSs on the reinforcement effect and the viscoelastic properties of polymer nanocomposites has remained unknown. In this study, building upon previously developed coarse-grained models of MLGSs and poly(methyl methacrylate) coupled with molecular dynamics simulations, we have systematically investigated nanocomposites with different numbers of graphene layers and various wrinkle configurations. We find that with decreasing degree of waviness and increasing numbers of layers, the elastic modulus of the nanocomposites increases. Interestingly, we observe a sudden stress drop during shear deformation of certain wrinkled MLGSs-reinforced nanocomposites. We further conduct small amplitude oscillatory shear simulations on these nanocomposites and find that the nanocomposites with these specific wrinkle configurations also show peculiarly large loss tangents, indicating an increasing capability of energy dissipation. These behaviors are attributed to the activation of the interlayer sliding among these wrinkled MLGSs, as their interlayer shear strengths are indeed lower than flat MLGSs measured by steered molecular dynamics technique. Our study demonstrates that the viscoelastic properties and deformation mechanisms of polymer nanocomposites can be tuned through MLGS wrinkle engineering.

Recent development in friction of 2D materials: from mechanisms to applications

Two-dimensional (2D) materials with a layered structure are excellent candidates in the field of lubrication due to their unique physical and chemical properties, including weak interlayer interaction and large specific surface area. For the last few decades, graphene has received lots of attention due to its excellent properties. Besides graphene, various new 2D materials (including MoS₂, WS₂, WSe₂, NbSe₂, NbTe₂, ReS₂, TaS₂and h-BN etc.) are found to exhibit a low coefficient of friction at the macro- and even micro-scales, which may lead to widespread application in the field of lubrication and anti-wear. This article focuses on the latest development trend in 2D materials in the field of tribology. The review begins with a summary of widely accepted nano-scale friction mechanisms contain surface friction mechanism and interlayer friction mechanism. The following sections report the applications of 2D materials in lubrication and anti-wear as lubricant additives, solid lubricants, and composite lubricating materials. Finally, the research prospects of 2D materials in tribology are presented.

Understanding the Mechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of Graphene Reinforced Polycarbonate Nanocomposites Using Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Incorporating graphene nanosheets into a polymer matrix is a promising way to utilize the remarkable electronic, thermal, and mechanical properties of graphene. However, the underlying mechanisms near the graphene-polymer interface remain poorly understood. In this study, we employ coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the nanoscale mechanisms present in graphene-reinforced polycarbonate (GRPC) and the effect of those mechanisms on GRPC's mechanical properties. With a mean-squared displacement analysis, we find that the polymer chains near the GRPC interface exhibit lower mobility than the chains further from the graphene sheet. We also show that the embedding of graphene increases Young's modulus and yield strength of bulk PC. Through non-equilibrium MD simulations and a close look into the deformation mechanisms, we find that early strain localization arises in GRPC, with voids being concentrated further away from the graphene sheet. These results indicate that graphene nanosheets promote the heterogeneous deformation of GRPC. Additionally, to gain deeper insight into the mechanical, interfacial, and viscoelastic properties of GRPC, we study the effects of varying PC chain lengths and interfacial interactions as well as the comparative performance of GRPC and PC under small amplitude oscillatory shear tests. We find that increasing the interfacial interaction leads to an increase in both storage and loss moduli, whereas varying chain length has minimal influence on the dynamic modulus of GRPC. This study contributes to the fundamental understanding of the nanoscale failure mechanisms and structure-property relationships of graphene reinforced polymer nanocomposites.

Reduced Fracture Strength of 2D Materials Induced by Interlayer Friction

The potential applications of 2D layered materials (2DLMs) as the functional membranes in flexible electronics and nano-electromechanical systems emphasize the role of the mechanical properties of these materials. Interlayer interactions play critical roles in affecting the mechanical properties of 2DLMs, and nevertheless the understanding of their relationship remains incomplete. In the present work, it is reported that the fracture strength of few-layer (FL) WS₂ can be weakened by the interlayer friction among individual layers with the assistance of finite element simulations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The reduced fracture strength can be also observed in FL WSe₂ but with a lesser extent, which is attributed to the difference in the interlayer sliding energies of WS₂ and WSe₂ as confirmed by DFT calculations. Moreover, the tip-membrane friction can give rise to the underestimation of the Young's modulus except for the membrane nonlinearity. These results give deep insights into the influence of interfacial interactions on the mechanical properties of 2DLMs, and suggest that importance should be also attached to the interlayer interactions during the design of nanodevices with 2DLMs as the functional materials.

Free-Standing Two-Dimensional Gold Membranes Produced by Extreme Mechanical Thinning

Two-dimensional (2D) materials exhibit exceptional physical and chemical properties owing to their atomically thin structures. However, it remains challenging to produce 2D materials consisting of pure monoelemental metallic atoms. Here free-standing 2D gold (Au) membranes were prepared via in situ transmission electron microscopy straining of Au films. The applied in-plane tensile strain induces an extensive amount of out-of-plane thinning deformation in a local region of an Au thin film, resulting in the nucleation and growth of a free-standing 2D Au membrane surrounded by its film matrix. This 2D membrane is shown to be one atom thick with a simple-hexagonal lattice, which forms an atomically sharp interface with the face-centered cubic lattice of the film matrix. Diffusive transport of surface atoms, in conjunction with the dynamic evolution of interface dislocations, plays important roles in the formation of 2D Au membranes during the mechanical thinning process. These results demonstrate a top-down approach to produce free-standing 2D membranes and provide a general understanding on extreme mechanical thinning of metallic films down to the single-atom-thick limit.

Towards future physics and applications via two-dimensional material NEMS resonators

Two-dimensional materials (2Dm) offer a unique insight into the world of quantum mechanics including van der Waals (vdWs) interactions, exciton dynamics and various other nanoscale phenomena. 2Dm are a growing family consisting of graphene, hexagonal-Boron Nitride (h-BN), transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), monochalcogenides (MNs), black phosphorus (BP), MXenes and 2D organic crystals such as small molecules (e.g., pentacene, C8 BTBT, perylene derivatives, etc.) and polymers (e.g., COF and MOF, etc.). They exhibit unique mechanical, electrical, optical and optoelectronic properties that are highly enhanced as the surface to volume ratio increases, resulting from the transition of bulk to the few- to mono- layer limit. Such unique attributes include the manifestation of highly tuneable bandgap semiconductors, reduced dielectric screening, highly enhanced many body interactions, the ability to withstand high strains, ferromagnetism, piezoelectric and flexoelectric effects. Using 2Dm for mechanical resonators has become a promising field in nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) for applications involving sensors and condensed matter physics investigations. 2Dm NEMS resonators react with their environment, exhibit highly nonlinear behaviour from tension induced stiffening effects and couple different physics domains. The small size and high stiffness of these devices possess the potential of highly enhanced force sensitivities for measuring a wide variety of un-investigated physical forces. This review highlights current research in 2Dm NEMS resonators from fundamental physics and an applications standpoint, as well as presenting future possibilities using these devices.

Thickness-dependent Young's modulus of polycrystalline α-PbO nanosheets

Litharge, in two dimensional (2D) nanostructure form, has recently ignited considerable theoretical interest due to its excellent photoelectric and magnetic properties. However, the lack of an efficient synthesis method hinders its development. Here, we provide an interfacial solvothermal strategy for controllably synthesizing ultrathin hexagonal polycrystalline α-PbO nanosheets in micrometer scale. This strategy can also be utilized for the synthesis of other 2D materials. Experimental atomic force microscope nanoindentation measurements reveal the relationship between the thickness of polycrystalline α-PbO nanosheets and the corresponding Young's modulus, expressed as E = E₀ + Kt ^-1. First-principles calculation supports the result and ascribes the cause to interlayer sliding from particular weak interlayer interactions. Additionally, the enhanced mechanical strength of the polycrystalline structure compared to its single-crystal counterpart is attributed to the alternate arrangement of grain-boundaries effects. The summative formula may be extended to other 2D materials with weak interlayer interactions, which has the potential to provide guidance for constructing flexible devices.

Advances in mechanical characterization of 1D and 2D nanomaterials: progress and prospects

Last several decades have sparked a tremendous interest in mechanical properties of low dimensional systems specifically 1D and 2D nanomaterials, in large, due to their remarkable behavior and potential to possess unique and customizable physical properties, which have encouraged the fabrication of new structures to be tuned and utilized for targeted applications. In this critical review we discuss examples that represent evolution of the mechanical characterization techniques developed for 1D and 2D nanomaterials, with special emphasis on specimen fabrication and manipulation, and the different strategies, tools and metrologies, employed for precise positioning and accurate measurements of materials’ strength, elastic modulus, fracture toughness as well as analysis of failure modes. We focus separately on techniques for the mechanical characterization of 1D and 2D nanomaterials and categorize those methods into top-down and bottom-up approaches. Finally, we discuss advantages and some drawbacks in most common methodologies used for 1D and 2D specimen testing and outline future possibilities and potential paths that could boost the development of more universal approaches for technologically viable solutions which would allow for more streamlined and standardized mechanical testing protocols to be developed and implemented.

Tunable macroscale structural superlubricity in two-layer graphene via strain engineering

Achieving structural superlubricity in graphitic samples of macroscale size is particularly challenging due to difficulties in sliding large contact areas of commensurate stacking domains. Here, we show the presence of macroscale structural superlubricity between two randomly stacked graphene layers produced by both mechanical exfoliation and chemical vapour deposition. By measuring the shifts of Raman peaks under strain we estimate the values of frictional interlayer shear stress (ILSS) in the superlubricity regime (mm scale) under ambient conditions. The random incommensurate stacking, the presence of wrinkles and the mismatch in the lattice constant between two graphene layers induced by the tensile strain differential are considered responsible for the facile shearing at the macroscale. Furthermore, molecular dynamic simulations show that the stick-slip behaviour does not hold for incommensurate chiral shearing directions for which the ILSS decreases substantially, supporting the experimental observations. Our results pave the way for overcoming several limitations in achieving macroscale superlubricity using graphene.

Stochastic Stress Jumps Due to Soliton Dynamics in Two-Dimensional van der Waals Interfaces

The creation and movement of dislocations determine the nonlinear mechanics of materials. At the nanoscale, the number of dislocations in structures become countable, and even single defects impact material properties. While the impact of solitons on electronic properties is well studied, the impact of solitons on mechanics is less understood. In this study, we construct nanoelectromechanical drumhead resonators from Bernal stacked bilayer graphene and observe stochastic jumps in frequency. Similar frequency jumps occur in few-layer but not twisted bilayer or monolayer graphene. Using atomistic simulations, we show that the measured shifts are a result of changes in stress due to the creation and annihilation of individual solitons. We develop a simple model relating the magnitude of the stress induced by soliton dynamics across length scales, ranging from <0.01 N/m for the measured 5 μm diameter to ∼1.2 N/m for the 38.7 nm simulations. These results demonstrate the sensitivity of 2D resonators are sufficient to probe the nonlinear mechanics of single dislocations in an atomic membrane and provide a model to understand the interfacial mechanics of different kinds of van der Waals structures under stress, which is important to many emerging applications such as engineering quantum states through electromechanical manipulation and mechanical devices like highly tunable nanoelectromechanical systems, stretchable electronics, and origami nanomachines.

Quantifying the Mechanical Anisotropy in Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Nanofibers

Correlating the structure with nanomechanical property of semicrystalline conjugated-polymer crystal is of essential importance for the performance improvement and design of flexible electronic devices. Although it is well-known that the semicrystalline conjugated-polymer crystal exhibits anisotropic structure owing to the π-π and layer stacking of highly coplanar conjugated backbones, the structure-nanomechanical property relationship is missing. Here, we investigated the axial mechanical anisotropy of the P3HT nanofiber by using thermal shape-fluctuation analysis and a three-point bending test based on atomic force microscopy. Our results show that Young's modulus in the layer-stacking direction (E_L) is 1-2 orders of magnitude greater than that in the π-conjugated backbone direction (E_B). We attribute this mechanical anisotropy to the π-stacking of the P3HT backbone, but the layer stacking will decrease E_L, which weakens the mechanical anisotropy. Moreover, we demonstrated that the P3HT nanofiber shows a loading-rate-independent Young's modulus and deformation-dependent resilience in the layer-stacking direction.

Nanomechanical elasticity and fracture studies of lithium phosphate (LPO) and lithium tantalate (LTO) solid-state electrolytes

All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) have attracted much attention due to their enhanced energy density and safety as compared to traditional liquid-based batteries. However, cyclic performance depreciates due to microcrack formation and propagation at the interface of the solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) and electrodes. Herein, we studied the elastic and fracture behavior of atomic layer deposition (ALD) synthesized glassy lithium phosphate (LPO) and lithium tantalate (LTO) thin films as promising candidates for SSEs. The mechanical behavior of ALD prepared SSE thin films with a thickness range of 5 nm to 30 nm over suspended single-layer graphene was studied using an atomic force microscope (AFM) film deflection technique. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) coupled with AFM was used for microstructural analysis. LTO films exhibited higher stiffness and higher fracture forces as compared to LPO films. Fracture in LTO films occurred directly under the indenter in a brittle fashion, while LPO films failed by a more complex fracture mechanism including significant plastic deformation prior to the onset of complete fracture. The results and methodology described in this work open a new window to identify the potential influence of SSEs mechanical performance on their operation in flexible ASSBs.

Nanophase graphene frameworks

Nanophase graphene frameworks (NGFs) assembled by interconnected domains have massive interfaces, where the interfacial interaction and the compact architectures drastically elevate the durability of graphene towards physical and chemical destruction. The excellent electrical conductivity of the NGFs can be perfectly maintained even after 1500 friction cycles or 3 h flame treatment.

Robust superlubricity by strain engineering

Structural superlubricity, a nearly frictionless state between two contact solid surfaces, has attracted rapidly increasing attention during the past few years. Yet a key problem that limits its promising applications is the high anisotropy of friction which always leads to its failure. Here we study the friction of a graphene flake sliding on top of a graphene substrate using molecular dynamics simulation. The results show that by applying strain on the substrate, biaxial stretching is better than uniaxial stretching in terms of reducing interlayer friction. Importantly, we find that robust superlubricity can be achieved via both biaxial and uniaxial stretching, namely for stretching above a critical strain which has been achieved experimentally, the friction is no longer dependent on the relative orientation mainly due to the complete lattice mismatch. The underlying mechanism is revealed to be the Moiré pattern formed. These findings provide a viable approach for the realization of robust superlubricity through strain engineering.

A coarse-grained model for mechanical behavior of phosphorene sheets

The popularity of phosphorene (known as monolayer black phosphorus) in electronic devices relies on not only its superior electrical properties, but also its mechanical stability beyond the nanoscale. However, the mechanical performance of phosphorene beyond the nanoscale remains poorly explored owing to the spatiotemporal limitation of experimental observations, first-principles calculations, and atomistic simulations. To overcome this limitation, here a coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CG-MD) model is developed via a strain energy conservation approach to offer a new computational tool for the investigation of the mechanical properties of phosphorene beyond the nanoscale. The mechanical properties of a single phosphorene sheet are first characterized by all-atom molecular dynamics (AA-MD) simulations, followed by a force-field parameter optimization of the CG-MD model by matching these mechanical properties from AA-MD simulations. The intrinsic out-of-plane puckered feature is conserved in our CG-MD model, rendering mechanical anisotropy and heterogeneity in both the in-plane and out-of-plane directions preserved. The results indicate that our coarse-grained model is able to accurately capture the anisotropic in-plane mechanical performance of phosphorene and quantitatively reproduce Young's modulus, ultimate strength, and fracture strain under various environmental temperatures. Our CG-MD model can also capture the anisotropic out-of-plane bending stiffness of phosphorene. We demonstrate the applicability of our model in capturing the fracture toughness of phosphorene in both the armchair and zigzag directions by comparison with the results from AA-MD simulations. This CG-MD model proposed here offers greater capability to perform mechanical mesoscale simulations for phosphorene-based systems, allowing for a deeper understanding of the mechanical properties of phosphorene beyond the nanoscale, and the potential transferability of the developed force-field can help design hybrid phosphorene devices and structures.

Nano-electromechanical Drumhead Resonators from Two-Dimensional Material Bimorphs

Atomic membranes of monolayer 2D materials represent the ultimate limit in the size of nano-electromechanical systems. However, new properties and new functionalities emerge by looking at the interface between layers in heterostructures of 2D materials. Here, we demonstrate the integration of 2D heterostructures as tunable nano-electromechanical systems, exploring the competition between the mechanics of the ultrathin membrane and the incommensurate van der Waals interface. We fabricate electrically contacted 5 or 6 μm circular drumheads of suspended heterostructure membranes of monolayer graphene on monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), which we call a 2D bimorph. We characterize the mechanical resonance through electrostatic actuation and laser interferometry detection. The 2D bimorphs have resonance frequencies of 5-20 MHz and quality factors of 50-700, comparable to resonators from monolayer or few-layer 2D materials. The frequencies and eigenmode shapes of the higher harmonics display split degenerate modes, showing that the 2D bimorphs behave as membranes with asymmetric tension. The devices display dynamic ranges of 44 dB, with an additional nonlinearity in the dissipation at small drive. Under electrostatic frequency tuning, devices display a small tuning of ∼20% compared with graphene resonators, which have >100%. In addition, the tuning shows a kink that deviates from the tensioned membrane model for atomic membranes and corresponds with a changing in stress of 14 mN/m. A model that accounts for this tuning behavior is the onset of interlayer slip in the heterostructure, allowing the tension in the membrane to relax. Using density functional theory simulations, we find that the change in stress at the kink is much larger than the predicted energy barrier for interlayer slip of 0.102 mN/m in an incommensurate 2D heterostructure but smaller than the energy barrier for an aligned graphene bilayer of 35 mN/m, suggesting a local pinning effect at ripples or folds in the heterostructure. Finally, we observe an asymmetry in tuning of the full width at half-maximum that does not exist in monolayer resonators. These findings demonstrate a new class of nano-electromechanical systems from 2D heterostructures and unravel the complex interaction of membrane morphology versus interlayer adhesion and slip on the mechanics of incommensurate van der Waals interfaces.

Stretching and Breaking of Ultrathin 2D Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Perovskites

Two-dimensional (2D) hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOIPs) are recent members of the 2D materials family with wide tunability, highly dynamic structural features, and excellent physical properties. Ultrathin 2D HOIPs and their heterostructures with other 2D materials have been exploited for study of physical phenomena and device applications. The in-plane mechanical properties of 2D ultrathin HOIPs are critical for understanding the coupling between mechanical and other physical fields and for integrated devices applications. Here we report the in-plane mechanical properties of ultrathin freestanding 2D lead iodide perovskite membranes and their dependence on the membrane thickness. The in-plane Young's moduli of 2D HOIPs are smaller than that of conventional covalently bonded 2D materials. As the thickness increases from monolayer to three-layer, both the Young's modulus and breaking strength decrease, while three-layer and four-layer 2D HOIPs have almost identical in-plane mechanical properties. These thickness-dependent mechanical properties can be attributed to interlayer slippage during deformation. Our results show that ultrathin 2D HOIPs exhibit outstanding breaking strength/Young's modulus ratio compared to many other widely used engineering materials and polymeric flexible substrates, which renders them suitable for application into flexible electronic devices.

Structure and Dynamics of a Graphene Melt

We explore the structural and dynamic properties of bulk materials composed of graphene nanosheets using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. Remarkably, our results show clear evidence that bulk graphene materials exhibit a fluid-like behavior similar to linear polymer melts at elevated temperatures and that these materials transform into a glassy-like "foam" state at temperatures below the glass-transition temperature ( T_g) of these materials. Distinct from an isolated graphene sheet, which exhibits a relatively flat shape with fluctuations, we find that graphene sheets in a melt state structurally adopt more "crumpled" configurations and correspondingly smaller sizes, as normally found for ordinary polymers in the melt. Upon approaching the glass transition, these two-dimensional polymeric materials exhibit a dramatic slowing down of their dynamics that is likewise similar to ordinary linear polymer glass-forming liquids. Bulk graphene materials in their glassy foam state have an exceptionally large free-volume and high thermal stability due to their high T_g (≈ 1600 K) as compared to conventional polymer materials. Our findings show that graphene melts have interesting lubricating and "plastic" flow properties at elevated temperatures, and suggest that graphene foams are highly promising as high surface filtration materials and fire suppression additives for improving the thermal conductivities and mechanical reinforcement of polymer materials.

Size of graphene sheets determines the structural and mechanical properties of 3D graphene foams

Graphene is recognized as an emerging 2D nanomaterial for many applications. Assembly of graphene sheets into 3D structures is an attractive way to enable their macroscopic applications and to preserve the exceptional mechanical and physical properties of their constituents. In this study, we develop a coarse-grained (CG) model for 3D graphene foams (GFs) based on the CG model for a 2D graphene sheet by Ruiz et al (2015 Carbon 82 103-15). We find that the size of graphene sheets plays an important role in both the structural and mechanical properties of 3D GFs. When their size is smaller than 10 nm, the graphene sheets can easily stack together under the influence of van der Waals interactions (vdW). These stacks behave like building blocks and are tightly packed together within 3D GFs, leading to high density, small pore radii, and a large Young's modulus. However, if the sheet sizes exceed 10 nm, they are staggered together with a significant amount of deformation (bending). Therefore, the density of 3D GFs has been dramatically reduced due to the loosely packed graphene sheets, accompanied by large pore radii and a small Young's modulus. Under uniaxial compression, rubber-like stress-strain curves are observed for all 3D GFs. This material characteristic is dominated by the vdW interactions between different graphene layers and slightly affected by the out-of-plane deformation of the graphene sheets. We find a simple scaling law [Formula: see text] between the density ρ and Young's modulus E for a model of 3D GFs. The simulation results reveal structure-property relations of 3D GFs, which can be applied to guide the design of 3D graphene assemblies with exceptional properties.

Asynchronous cracking with dissimilar paths in multilayer graphene

Multilayer graphene consists of a stack of single-atomic-thick monolayer graphene sheets bound with π-π interactions and is a fascinating model material opening up a new field of fracture mechanics. In this study, fracture behavior of single-crystalline multilayer graphene was investigated using an in situ mode I fracture test under a scanning electron microscope, and abnormal crack propagation in multilayer graphene was identified for the first time. The fracture toughness of graphene was determined from the measured load-displacement curves and the realistic finite element modelling of specimen geometries. Nonlinear fracture behavior of the multilayer graphene is discussed based on nonlinear elastic fracture mechanics. In situ scanning electron microscope images obtained during the fracture test showed asynchronous crack propagation along independent paths, causing interlayer shear stress and slippages. We also found that energy dissipation by interlayer slippages between the graphene layers is the reason for the enhanced fracture toughness of multilayer graphene. The asynchronous cracking with independent paths is a unique cracking and toughening mechanism for single-crystalline multilayer graphene, which is not observed for the monolayer graphene. This could provide a useful insight for the design and development of graphene-based composite materials for structural applications.

Wrinkled Few-Layer Graphene as Highly Efficient Load Bearer

Multilayered graphitic materials are not suitable as load-bearers due to their inherent weak interlayer bonding (for example, graphite is a solid lubricant in certain applications). This situation is largely improved when two-dimensional (2D) materials such as a monolayer (SLG) graphene are employed. The downside in these cases is the presence of thermally or mechanically induced wrinkles which are ubiquitous in 2D materials. Here we set out to examine the effect of extensive large wavelength/amplitude wrinkling on the stress transfer capabilities of exfoliated simply supported graphene flakes. Contrary to common belief we present clear evidence that this type of "corrugation" enhances the load-bearing capacity of few-layer graphene as compared to "flat" specimens. This effect is the result of the significant increase of the graphene/polymer interfacial shear stress per increment of applied strain due to wrinkling and paves the way for designing affordable graphene composites with highly improved stress-transfer efficiency.

Optimizing Interfacial Cross-Linking in Graphene-Derived Materials, Which Balances Intralayer and Interlayer Load Transfer

Graphene-derived layer-by-layer (LbL) assemblies in the form of films or fibers have recently attracted particular interests owing to their low cost, facile fabrication, and outstanding mechanical properties, which could be further tuned by surface functionalization that cross-links graphene sheets in the assembly. However, this interfacial engineering approach has not yet been finely utilized considering the dual roles of cross-links in modifying the intrinsic properties of graphene sheets and their interlayer interactions. In this work, combining first-principles calculations and continuum-mechanics-based model analysis, we find that the functionalization weakens the intrinsic mechanical resistance of graphene, whereas it enhances interlayer load transfer through interlayer cross-linking. There are optimum cross-linking densities or concentrations of the surface functional groups that maximize the overall tensile stiffness, tensile strength and strain to failure of graphene-derived LbL assemblies, arising from the competition between intralayer and interlayer load-bearing mechanisms, as defined by the type of functionalization and size of graphene sheets. Our work quantifies the ultimate mechanical performance of graphene-derived LbL assemblies, on the condition that their microstructures and functionalization could be adequately controlled in the fabrication process.

Measuring Interlayer Shear Stress in Bilayer Graphene

Monolayer two-dimensional (2D) crystals exhibit a host of intriguing properties, but the most exciting applications may come from stacking them into multilayer structures. Interlayer and interfacial shear interactions could play a crucial role in the performance and reliability of these applications, but little is known about the key parameters controlling shear deformation across the layers and interfaces between 2D materials. Herein, we report the first measurement of the interlayer shear stress of bilayer graphene based on pressurized microscale bubble loading devices. We demonstrate continuous growth of an interlayer shear zone outside the bubble edge and extract an interlayer shear stress of 40 kPa based on a membrane analysis for bilayer graphene bubbles. Meanwhile, a much higher interfacial shear stress of 1.64 MPa was determined for monolayer graphene on a silicon oxide substrate. Our results not only provide insights into the interfacial shear responses of the thinnest structures possible, but also establish an experimental method for characterizing the fundamental interlayer shear properties of the emerging 2D materials for potential applications in multilayer systems.

Adsorbable and self-supported 3D AgNPs/G@Ni foam as cut-and-paste highly-sensitive SERS substrates for rapid in situ detection of residuum

We have proposed a synthetic approach to produce self-supported and bendable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based 3D chemical sensors with high adsorptivity. Such 3D substrates consist of foam-like graphene macrostructures obtained by template-directed chemical vapour deposition on nickel foams (interconnected 3D scaffold of nickel) and uniform and high-density Ag nanoparticles wrapping around the foam graphene, via seed-mediated in situ growth process. Such 3D AgNPs/G@Ni foam substrates show high-quality SERS performance in terms of Raman signal reproducibility and sensitivity for the analyte, resulting from the high density and homogeneity of "hot spots" on AgNPs/G@Ni foam, multiple cascaded amplication (localized surface plasmon mode and optical standing waves or optical refraction) of incident laser to the 3D foam structures and powerful support from nickel scaffold. Moreover, in virtue of the high adsorptivity and sensitivity of AgNPs/G@Ni foam, the low-concentration crystal violet molecules can be easily traced in the curvilinear fish surface, by simply swabbing the surface to achieve molecules concentration effect in the practical applicability. This work shows promising potential in developing the applications of SERS in the foodstuffs processing and security field.

Mechanical properties of atomically thin boron nitride and the role of interlayer interactions

Atomically thin boron nitride (BN) nanosheets are important two-dimensional nanomaterials with many unique properties distinct from those of graphene, but investigation into their mechanical properties remains incomplete. Here we report that high-quality single-crystalline mono- and few-layer BN nanosheets are one of the strongest electrically insulating materials. More intriguingly, few-layer BN shows mechanical behaviours quite different from those of few-layer graphene under indentation. In striking contrast to graphene, whose strength decreases by more than 30% when the number of layers increases from 1 to 8, the mechanical strength of BN nanosheets is not sensitive to increasing thickness. We attribute this difference to the distinct interlayer interactions and hence sliding tendencies in these two materials under indentation. The significantly better interlayer integrity of BN nanosheets makes them a more attractive candidate than graphene for several applications, for example, as mechanical reinforcements.