Mechanical properties of graphene under shear deformation

In this letter, we investigate the mechanical properties of graphene under shear deformation. Specifically, using molecular dynamics simulations, we compute the shear modulus, shear fracture strength, and shear fracture strain of zigzag and armchair graphene structures at various temperatures. To predict shear strength and fracture shear strain, we also present an analytical theory based on the kinetic analysis. We show that wrinkling behavior of graphene under shear deformation can be significant. We compute the amplitude to wavelength ratio of wrinkles using molecular dynamics and compare it with existing theory. Our results indicate that graphene can be a promising mechanical material under shear deformation. (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3534787]