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arXiv · 1708.02988

Wrinkled few-layer graphene as highly efficient load bearer

Charalampos Androulidakis·Emmanuel N. Koukaras·Jaroslava Rahova·Krishna Sampathkumar·John Parthenios·Konstantinos Papagelis·Otakar Frank·Costas Galiotis
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Abstract

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 (2-D) 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 2-D 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.

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Charalampos Androulidakis, Emmanuel N. Koukaras, Jaroslava Rahova, Krishna Sampathkumar, John Parthenios, Konstantinos Papagelis, Otakar Frank, Costas Galiotis. 2017-08-09. Wrinkled few-layer graphene as highly efficient load bearer. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.7b07547

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