Macroscopic graphene membranes and their extraordinary stiffness

Tim J. Booth; Peter Blake; Rahul R. Nair; Da Jiang; Ernie W. Hill; Ursel Bangert; Andrew Bleloch; Mhairi Gass; Kostya S. Novoselov; M. I. Katsnelson; A. K. Geim

doi:10.1021/nl801412y

Macroscopic graphene membranes and their extraordinary stiffness

Tim J. Booth, Peter Blake, Rahul R. Nair, Da Jiang, Ernie W. Hill, Ursel Bangert, Andrew Bleloch, Mhairi Gass, Kostya S. Novoselov, M. I. Katsnelson, A. K. Geim

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The properties of suspended graphene are currently attracting enormous interest, but the small size of available samples and the difficulties in making them severely restrict the number of experimental techniques that can be used to study the optical, mechanical, electronic, thermal, and other characteristics of this one-atom-thick material. Here, we describe a new and highly reliable approach for making graphene membranes of a macroscopic size (currently up to 100 μm in diameter) and their characterization by transmission electron microscopy. In particular, we have found that long graphene beams supported by only one side do not scroll or fold, in striking contrast to the current perception of graphene as a supple thin fabric, but demonstrate sufficient stiffness to support extremely large loads, millions of times exceeding their own weight, in agreement with the presented theory. Our work opens many avenues for studying suspended graphene and using it in various micromechanical systems and electron microscopy.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	2442-2446
Number of pages	5
Journal	Nano Letters
Volume	8
Issue number	8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1021/nl801412y
Publication status	Published - Aug 2008
Externally published	Yes

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10.1021/nl801412y

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title = "Macroscopic graphene membranes and their extraordinary stiffness",

abstract = "The properties of suspended graphene are currently attracting enormous interest, but the small size of available samples and the difficulties in making them severely restrict the number of experimental techniques that can be used to study the optical, mechanical, electronic, thermal, and other characteristics of this one-atom-thick material. Here, we describe a new and highly reliable approach for making graphene membranes of a macroscopic size (currently up to 100 μm in diameter) and their characterization by transmission electron microscopy. In particular, we have found that long graphene beams supported by only one side do not scroll or fold, in striking contrast to the current perception of graphene as a supple thin fabric, but demonstrate sufficient stiffness to support extremely large loads, millions of times exceeding their own weight, in agreement with the presented theory. Our work opens many avenues for studying suspended graphene and using it in various micromechanical systems and electron microscopy.",

author = "Booth, {Tim J.} and Peter Blake and Nair, {Rahul R.} and Da Jiang and Hill, {Ernie W.} and Ursel Bangert and Andrew Bleloch and Mhairi Gass and Novoselov, {Kostya S.} and Katsnelson, {M. I.} and Geim, {A. K.}",

year = "2008",

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AU - Booth, Tim J.

AU - Blake, Peter

AU - Nair, Rahul R.

AU - Jiang, Da

AU - Hill, Ernie W.

AU - Bangert, Ursel

AU - Bleloch, Andrew

AU - Gass, Mhairi

AU - Novoselov, Kostya S.

AU - Katsnelson, M. I.

AU - Geim, A. K.

PY - 2008/8

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N2 - The properties of suspended graphene are currently attracting enormous interest, but the small size of available samples and the difficulties in making them severely restrict the number of experimental techniques that can be used to study the optical, mechanical, electronic, thermal, and other characteristics of this one-atom-thick material. Here, we describe a new and highly reliable approach for making graphene membranes of a macroscopic size (currently up to 100 μm in diameter) and their characterization by transmission electron microscopy. In particular, we have found that long graphene beams supported by only one side do not scroll or fold, in striking contrast to the current perception of graphene as a supple thin fabric, but demonstrate sufficient stiffness to support extremely large loads, millions of times exceeding their own weight, in agreement with the presented theory. Our work opens many avenues for studying suspended graphene and using it in various micromechanical systems and electron microscopy.

AB - The properties of suspended graphene are currently attracting enormous interest, but the small size of available samples and the difficulties in making them severely restrict the number of experimental techniques that can be used to study the optical, mechanical, electronic, thermal, and other characteristics of this one-atom-thick material. Here, we describe a new and highly reliable approach for making graphene membranes of a macroscopic size (currently up to 100 μm in diameter) and their characterization by transmission electron microscopy. In particular, we have found that long graphene beams supported by only one side do not scroll or fold, in striking contrast to the current perception of graphene as a supple thin fabric, but demonstrate sufficient stiffness to support extremely large loads, millions of times exceeding their own weight, in agreement with the presented theory. Our work opens many avenues for studying suspended graphene and using it in various micromechanical systems and electron microscopy.

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Macroscopic graphene membranes and their extraordinary stiffness

Abstract

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