A team of researchers at the Institute of Basic Science in Korea recently released the results of a study that indicates stress stimulates further reactions in graphene and may actually be beneficial for its functionality.
The team found that the crystal structure of copper substrates, which are usually used for graphene synthesis, affects the addition of functionalities to graphene. Using different crystal structures such as ‘Copper 001â², ‘Copper 110â² and ‘Copper 111â² as substrates, the additional reactions of the graphene’s functions were observed and the reaction was found to be the fastest and most uniform on copper 111 substrates.
Compression deformation is more likely to occur when graphene is stressed during the synthesis process. A higher strain rate reduces the energy required for the response, so it is easier to attach a functional device.
This principle makes it easier to control the properties of graphene and manufacture graphene with various functions, said Rodney Ruoff, head of the research team.