A coarse-grained model for mechanical behavior of phosphorene sheets

Tribology of 2D black phosphorus - Current state-of-the-art and future potential

Since the first mechanical exfoliation of graphene in 2004, the interest in 2D materials has significantly risen due to their outstanding property combination. Multiple 2D materials have been synthesized until today, while black phosphorus (BP) resembles one of their latest additions. The unique properties of BP, especially for electronic and optical devices (i.e., high carrier mobility and electrical conduction, field-effect transistor, layer-dependent bandgap, anisotropic transport), have gained notable attention. However, its layered structure, similar to those of graphene and MoS2, is also advantageous to optimize the friction and wear performance. Moreover, the strong in-plane covalent bonds and weak interlayer van-der-Waals forces favour the formation of low-friction and wear-resistant films. Although BP holds a great tribological potential, the literature to date on this topic is rather scarce. Therefore, it is a timely moment to holistically summarize the synthesis approaches and properties of BP thus guiding interested researchers to use it in mechanical/tribological applications. The existing state-of-the-art regarding tribological research is critically discussed and compared to other 2D materials thus highlighting existing research gaps and paving the way for future research activities.

An Accurate and Transferable Coarse-Graining Method for the Investigation of Microscopic Fracture Behaviors of Epoxy Thermosets

Coarse-grained modeling shows potential in exploring the thermo-mechanical behaviors of polymers applied in harsh conditions such as cryogenic environment, but its accuracy in simulating fracture behaviors of highly cross-linked epoxy thermosets is largely limited due to the complex molecular structures of the cross-linked networks. We address this fundamental problem by developing a CG modeling method where the backbones and electrostatic interaction (EI) contributions in the cross-linked networks are retained, and thus the potentials of the CG model can be directly extracted, or parametrized on the basis of, existing all-atomistic (AA) force fields. A multilevel parametrization procedure was adopted, where the bond potentials were parametrized relying on the results of density functional theory (DFT) simulation, whereas the nonbond potentials were parametrized by renormalizing the cohesive interaction strength. Remarkably, the CG model can reproduce stress-strain responses highly consistent with the AA simulation results at multiple stages, including elastic deformation, yielding, plastic flow, strain hardening, etc., and the straightforward parametrization procedure can be easily transferred to different materials and thermodynamic conditions. The CG modeling method was then used to build a large-scale representative volume element (RVE) to investigate the microscopic fracture behavior of an epoxy thermoset. It has been discovered that EI contributions play a significant role in generating correct mechanical responses and fracture morphologies. The influences of temperature (i.e., from room to cryogenic temperatures) and strain rates were discussed, and the fracture morphology in the RVE was unveiled and analyzed in a quantitative manner.

Guided fractures in graphene mechanical diode-like structures

The concept of a diode is usually applied to electronic and thermal devices but very rarely for mechanical ones. A recently proposed fracture rectification effect in polymer-based structures with triangular void defects has motivated us to test these ideas at the nanoscale using graphene membranes. Using fully-atomistic reactive molecular dynamics simulations we showed that robust rectification-like effects exist. The fracture can be 'guided' to more easily propagate along one specific direction than its opposite. We also observed that there is an optimal value for the spacing between each void for the rectification effect.

Experimental and molecular dynamics studies of an ultra-fast sequential hydrogen plasma process for fabricating phosphorene-based sensors

Low concentration phosphorene-based sensors have been fabricated using a facile and ultra-fast process which is based on an exfoliation-free sequential hydrogen plasma treatment to convert the amorphous phosphorus thin film into mono- or few-layered phosphorene sheets. These sheets have been realized directly on silicon substrates followed by the fabrication of field-effect transistors showing the low leakage current and reasonable mobility for the nano-sensors. Being capable of covering the whole surface of the silicon substrate, red phosphorus (RP) coated substrate has been employed to achieve large area phosphorene sheets. Unlike the available techniques including mechanical exfoliation, there is no need for any exfoliation and/or transfer step which is significant progress in shortening the device fabrication procedure. These phosphorene sheets have been examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy and atomic-force microscopy (AFM). Electrical output in different states of the crystallization as well as its correlation with the test parameters have been also extensively used to examine the evolution of the phosphorene sheets. By utilizing the fabricated devices, the sensitivity of the phosphorene based-field effect transistors to the soluble L-Cysteine in low concentrations has been studied by measuring the FET response to the different concentrations. At a gate voltage of - 2.5 V, the range of 0.07 to 0.60 mg/ml of the L-Cysteine has been distinguishably detected presenting a gate-controlled sensor for a low-concentration solution. A reactive molecular dynamics simulation has been also performed to track the details of this plasma-based crystallization. The obtained results showed that the imparted energy from hydrogen plasma resulted in a phase transition from a system containing red phosphorus atoms to the crystal one. Interestingly and according to the simulation results, there is a directional preference of crystal growth as the crystalline domains are being formed and RP atoms are more likely to re-locate in armchair than in zigzag direction.

Electrode Materials for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries

Sodium ion batteries (SIBs) are being billed as an economical and environmental alternative to lithium ion batteries (LIBs), especially for medium and large-scale stationery and grid storage. However, SIBs suffer from lower capacities, energy density and cycle life performance. Therefore, in order to be more efficient and feasible, novel high-performance electrodes for SIBs need to be developed and researched. This review aims to provide an exhaustive discussion about the state-of-the-art in novel high-performance anodes and cathodes being currently analyzed, and the variety of advantages they demonstrate in various critically important parameters, such as electronic conductivity, structural stability, cycle life, and reversibility.