Elastic behavior of bilayer graphene under in-plane loadings

Due to its many superior properties, bilayer graphene is expected to serve as a proper candidate in various applications, and further provokes intensive research on how it deforms. Based on atomistic simulations, the elastic behavior of bilayer graphenes, including fracture under tension and buckling under compression, is investigated under in-plane loadings. The elastic property, e.g. Young's modulus and fracture strain, of either armchair or zigzag graphene is sensitive to both chirality and loading direction when tension is applied. However, the armchair-zigzag bilayer graphene with mixed chirality has no dependency on loading direction and its tensile rupture process is in a step-by-step manner. Under different loading histories, the bilayer graphene also exhibits quite different mechanical response. These results are useful for both further investigation and potential application of graphene in nano-electromechanical systems.

► Elastic behavior of bilayer graphene is studied under in-plane loadings.
► Material constants, such as Young's modulus and fracture strength, are determined.
► The fracture mechanism is analyzed and compared with single layer graphene.
► Effects of chirality, loading direction as well as loading history are considered.
► Guidelines for design and practical application of bilayer graphene are obtained.