Temperature-dependent elastic properties of single layer graphene sheets

Elastic properties of single layer graphene sheets (SLGSs) with different values of aspect ratio are presented by using molecular dynamics simulation. SLGSs subjected to uniaxial tension, shear load and transverse uniform pressure are simulated under temperature varying from 300 K to 700 K. Based on the classical plate theory, an individual orthotropic plate model is adopted for SLGSs. By direct measuring the bending deflections, the effective thickness of SLGSs is determined uniquely. It is found that SLGSs exhibit anisotropic, size-dependent and temperature-dependent properties. The results reveal that Young's modulus decreases with increasing in temperature, whereas the shear modulus depends weakly on temperature change. The results also show that the effective thickness of zigzag sheets is larger than that of armchair sheets. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.