Energetics of graphene origami and their spatial resolution

The extreme thinness of graphene combined with its tensile strength made it a material appealing for discussing and even making complex cut-kirigami or folded-only origami. In the case of origami, its stability is mainly defined by the positive energy of the single- or double-fold curvature deformation counterbalanced by the energy reduction due to favorable van der Waals contacts. These opposite sign contributions also have notably different scaling with the size L of the construction, the contacts contributing in proportion to area similar to L-2, single folds as similar to L, and highly strained double-fold corners as only similar to L-0 = const. Computational analysis with realistic atomistic-elastic representation of graphene allows one to quantify these energy contributions and to establish the length scale, where a single fold is favored (7 nm < L < 21 nm) or a double fold becomes sustainable (L > 21 nm), defining the size of the smallest possible complex origami designs as L >> 21 nm.

Automated summary

Graphene's extreme thinness and high tensile strength make it an ideal material for discussing complex origami or cut-kirigami artwork. Computational analysis can quantify different energy contributions and establish a length scale where single or double folds become feasible.