Moving wrinklon in graphene nanoribbons

Graphene is a two-dimensional, one-atom thick carbon nano-polymorph with a unique combination of physical and mechanical properties promising for many applications. Compressive in-plane stresses can result in the formation of wrinkles in a graphene sheet. Elastic strain and wrinkles are often used to control various physical properties of graphene. Wrinklon is a transition zone where two or more wrinkles merge into one. In this study, by means of molecular dynamics simulations, the potential energy density and amplitude of unidirectional wrinkles in suspended graphene are calculated as the functions of their wavelength for a given in-plane strain. Overdamped motion of wrinklons along graphene nanoribbons of different widths is studied. The shape and potential energy of wrinklons as well as elastic strain in the vicinity of wrinklons are calculated. The results of the present study should lead to a better understanding of suspended graphene devices and the effect of wrinkle dynamics on the electronic properties of graphene.