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Title: Graphene bimetallic-like cantilevers: probing graphene/substrate interactions

Journal Article · · Nano Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/nl202562u· OSTI ID:1031541

The remarkable mechanical properties of graphene the thinnest, lightest, and strongest material in existence are desirable in applications ranging from composite materials to sensors and actuators. Here, we demonstrate that these mechanical properties are strongly affected by the interaction with the substrate onto which graphene is deposited. By measuring the temperature-dependent deflection of graphene/substrate bimetallic cantilevers we determine strain, thermal expansion coefficient, and the adhesion force acting on graphene films attached to a substrate. Graphene deposited on silicon nitride (SiNx) is under much larger strain, g 1.5 10 2, compared to graphene on gold (Au), g < 10 3. The thermal expansion coefficient g of graphene attached to SiNx is found to be negative, in the range from ( 5 . . . 1) 10 6K 1 and smaller in magnitude than g of suspended graphene. We also estimate the interfacial shear strength of the graphene/SiNx interface to be 1 GPa at room temperature.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
1031541
Journal Information:
Nano Letters, Vol. 11, Issue 11; ISSN 1530-6984
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English