An easy way to prepare layered nanoplatelets: Fragment of nanostructured multilayers

In this study, we present an easy way to create layered-nanoplatelets with well-defined geometry by controlling the cracking process of nanostructured multilayers. The geometrical dimension of layered-nanoplatelets is determined by the multilayer intrinsic size, the total strain, and the elastic mismatch between the substrate and multilayers, which was analyzed by statistical approach. Fracture behaviors characterized by critical strain to nucleate microcrack, fracture toughness, and evolution of fragment width were also studied for nanostructured Cu/Cr multilayers with modulation period (lambda) spanning from of 5 to 250 nm and were quantified based on linear elastic theory and shear-lag theory. An optimal modulation period seems to be likely favorable for maximizing the ductility, strength, and fracture toughness of the nanolayered materials. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4728178]