Twist-enhanced stretchability of graphene nanoribbons: a molecular dynamics study

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) have many applications in electronics due to their exceptional mechanical, electronic and thermal properties. In order to utilize GNRs for stretchable electronics, it is an important issue to enhance the stretchability of GNRs. In this work, we report that the stretchability of GNRs can be considerably strengthened by a small twist angle through molecular dynamics simulations. Compared with the tension simulation on untwisted GNRs, twist effect can help the C-C covalent bond go into large nonlinear deformation, when the twisted GNR is under tension. Therefore, the breaking strain of a twisted GNR can be 37.6% larger than that of an untwisted one at room temperature. At the same time, the stiffness of the twisted GNR could also be enhanced. Such results could be useful for further application of GNRs in stretchable electronics with multi-functionality.