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Self-cleaning by harnessing wrinkles in two-dimensional layered crystals
Jia-Sheng Sun1, Jin-Wu Jiang, Harold S Park
1Shanghai Institute of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mechanics in Energy Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, People's Republic of China. jwjiang5918@hotmail.com.
Nanoscale
|December 7, 2017
Summary
Folds in 2D materials like graphene can surprisingly clean impurities. This study shows how bending and forces in these crystals enable self-cleaning for better material synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Two-dimensional (2D) layered crystals exhibit ultra-low bending stiffness, making them susceptible to bending and folding.
- Folds in these materials are typically considered defects that negatively impact performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate that folds and cohesive forces in 2D layered crystals can be utilized for collecting and cleaning interlayer impurities.
- To elucidate the mechanisms behind this self-cleaning process.
Main Methods:
- Classical molecular dynamics simulations were employed.
- An analytical model was developed to complement the simulations.
Main Results:
- Multiple separated impurities were observed to agglomerate into a single, large cluster within the folds.
- The competing roles of membrane bending and impurity-membrane cohesive energies in the self-cleaning process were elucidated.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals that intrinsic forces within 2D crystals can be harnessed for effective impurity removal.
- This self-cleaning mechanism offers a pathway for enhancing the synthesis of van der Waals homo- and heterostructures with improved reliability and functionalities.
