Thermal control of graphene morphology: A signature of its intrinsic surface tension

The surface tension sigma of free-standing graphene is studied by path-integral simulations as a function of the temperature and the in-plane stress. Even if the applied stress vanishes, the membrane displays a finite surface tension sigma due to the coupling between the bending oscillations and the real area of the membrane. Zero-point effects for sigma are significant below 100 K. Thermal cooling drives the membrane from a planar to a wrinkled morphology. Upon heating the change is reversible and shows hysteresis, in agreement with recent experiments performed on supported graphene.