Model predictions of shear strain-induced ridge defects in graphene

Molecular dynamics simulation is used to investigate the origins of ridge defects that can form on graphene surfaces during the growth process. Tensile, compressive, and shear strains are applied to model graphene sheets to determine their mechanical response and the resulting surface features. We find that shear results in ridges diagonal to the graphene sheet that are qualitatively similar to experimentally observed defects and exhibit the associated striations and 1D and 2D Moire superlattices indicating that shear strain plays a significant role in the formation of ridge defects. Lastly, we use the model to characterize the effects of size, orientation, and number of graphene sheets on the height of shear-induced ridges. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.