Ultra-strong Adhesion of Graphene Membranes

Ultra-strong Adhesion of Graphene Membranes

| Steven P. Koenig, Narasimha G. Boddeti, Martin L. Dunn, and J. Scott Bunch*
This study reports the direct measurement of adhesion energy between graphene and silicon dioxide (SiO₂) substrates, revealing ultra-strong adhesion for both monolayer and multilayer graphene. The adhesion energy was measured using a pressurized blister test, where the pressure difference across a graphene membrane caused it to bulge and delaminate from the substrate. The results showed adhesion energies of 0.45 ± 0.02 J/m² for monolayer graphene and 0.31 ± 0.03 J/m² for 2-5 layer graphene, which are significantly higher than typical micromechanical adhesion energies and comparable to solid-liquid adhesion energies. The high adhesion is attributed to graphene's extreme flexibility, allowing it to conform to the substrate's surface, creating a more liquid-like interaction. The study used a combination of mechanical exfoliation and photolithography to fabricate suspended graphene membranes with 1-5 layers. The membranes were sealed in microcavities and pressurized to measure their deformation. The adhesion energy was calculated using a thermodynamic model that considered the membrane's deformation, the pressure difference, and the gas expansion within the cavity. The results showed that the adhesion energy decreases with increasing number of layers, but remains high due to the van der Waals forces between the graphene layers and the substrate. The study also compared the adhesion energy of graphene to other materials, finding that it is significantly higher than adhesion in gold-coated submicron beams and previous estimates for multilayer graphene on SiO₂. The results suggest that graphene makes close and intimate contact with the SiO₂ substrate, demonstrating its ability to conform to the surface. The findings have implications for the development of graphene-based electrical and mechanical devices, where adhesive forces play a crucial role. The study also highlights the importance of understanding surface forces in the thinnest structures possible. The results are supported by theoretical models and experimental data, showing good agreement between measured and predicted values. The study provides a reliable method for measuring adhesion energy in nanoscale systems, offering insights into the behavior of graphene and its interactions with substrates.This study reports the direct measurement of adhesion energy between graphene and silicon dioxide (SiO₂) substrates, revealing ultra-strong adhesion for both monolayer and multilayer graphene. The adhesion energy was measured using a pressurized blister test, where the pressure difference across a graphene membrane caused it to bulge and delaminate from the substrate. The results showed adhesion energies of 0.45 ± 0.02 J/m² for monolayer graphene and 0.31 ± 0.03 J/m² for 2-5 layer graphene, which are significantly higher than typical micromechanical adhesion energies and comparable to solid-liquid adhesion energies. The high adhesion is attributed to graphene's extreme flexibility, allowing it to conform to the substrate's surface, creating a more liquid-like interaction. The study used a combination of mechanical exfoliation and photolithography to fabricate suspended graphene membranes with 1-5 layers. The membranes were sealed in microcavities and pressurized to measure their deformation. The adhesion energy was calculated using a thermodynamic model that considered the membrane's deformation, the pressure difference, and the gas expansion within the cavity. The results showed that the adhesion energy decreases with increasing number of layers, but remains high due to the van der Waals forces between the graphene layers and the substrate. The study also compared the adhesion energy of graphene to other materials, finding that it is significantly higher than adhesion in gold-coated submicron beams and previous estimates for multilayer graphene on SiO₂. The results suggest that graphene makes close and intimate contact with the SiO₂ substrate, demonstrating its ability to conform to the surface. The findings have implications for the development of graphene-based electrical and mechanical devices, where adhesive forces play a crucial role. The study also highlights the importance of understanding surface forces in the thinnest structures possible. The results are supported by theoretical models and experimental data, showing good agreement between measured and predicted values. The study provides a reliable method for measuring adhesion energy in nanoscale systems, offering insights into the behavior of graphene and its interactions with substrates.
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