Graphene mechanics: I. Efficient first principles based Morse potential

When Quantum Fluctuations Meet Structural Instabilities: The Isotope- and Pressure-Induced Phase Transition in the Quantum Paraelectric NaOH

Anhydrous sodium hydroxide, a common and structurally simple compound, shows spectacular isotope effects: NaOD undergoes a first-order transition, which is absent in NaOH. By combining ab initio electronic structure calculations with Feynman path integrals, we show that NaOH is an unusual example of a quantum paraelectric: zero-point quantum fluctuations stretch the weak hydrogen bonds (HBs) into a region where they are unstable and break. By strengthening the HBs via isotope substitution or applied pressure, the system can be driven to a broken-symmetry antiferroelectric phase. In passing, we provide a simple quantitative criterion for HB breaking in layered crystals and show that nuclear quantum effects are crucial in paraelectric to ferroelectric transitions in hydrogen-bonded hydroxides.

Layer-Dependent Mechanical Properties and Enhanced Plasticity in the Van der Waals Chromium Trihalide Magnets

The mechanical properties of magnetic materials are instrumental for the development of magnetoelastic theories and the optimization of strain-modulated magnetic devices. In particular, two-dimensional (2D) magnets hold promise to enlarge these concepts into the realm of low-dimensional physics and ultrathin devices. However, no experimental study on the intrinsic mechanical properties of the archetypal 2D magnet family of the chromium trihalides has thus far been performed. Here, we report the room temperature layer-dependent mechanical properties of atomically thin CrCl₃ and CrI₃, finding that the bilayers have Young's moduli of 62.1 and 43.4 GPa, highest sustained strains of 6.49% and 6.09% and breaking strengths of 3.6 and 2.2 GPa, respectively. This portrays the outstanding plasticity of these materials that is qualitatively demonstrated in the bulk crystals. The current study will contribute to the applications of the 2D magnets in magnetostrictive and flexible devices.

Examining the Mechanical Equilibrium of Microscopic Stresses in Molecular Simulations

The microscopic stress field provides a unique connection between atomistic simulations and mechanics at the nanoscale. However, its definition remains ambiguous. Rather than a mere theoretical preoccupation, we show that this fact acutely manifests itself in local stress calculations of defective graphene, lipid bilayers, and fibrous proteins. We find that popular definitions of the microscopic stress violate the continuum statements of mechanical equilibrium, and we propose an unambiguous and physically sound definition.

Graphene mechanics: II. Atomic stress distribution during indentation until rupture

Previous Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) experiments found single layers of defect-free graphene to rupture at unexpectedly high loads in the micronewton range. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we modeled an AFM spherical tip pressing on a circular graphene sheet and studied the stress distribution during the indentation process until rupture. We found the graphene rupture force to have no dependency on the sheet size and a very weak dependency on the indenter velocity, allowing a direct comparison to experiment. The deformation showed a non-linear elastic behavior, with a two-dimensional elastic modulus in good agreement with previous experimental and computational studies. In line with theoretical predictions for linearly elastic sheets, rupture forces of non-linearly elastic graphene are proportional to the tip radius. However, as a deviation from the theory, the atomic stress concentrates under the indenter tip more strongly than predicted and causes a high probability of bond breaking only in this area. In turn, stress levels decrease rapidly towards the edge of the sheet, most of which thus only serves the role of mechanical support for the region under the indenter. As a consequence, the high ratio between graphene sheets and sphere radii, hitherto supposed to be necessary for reliable deformation and rupture studies, could be reduced to a factor of only 5-10 without affecting the outcome. Our study suggests time-resolved analysis of forces at the atomic level as a valuable tool to predict and interpret the nano-scale response of stressed materials beyond graphene.