Thermal conductivity of defective graphene

In this Letter, the thermal conductivity of defective graphene is investigated by using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. It is found that various defects including single vacancy, double vacancy and Stone–Wales defects can greatly reduce the thermal conductivity of graphene. The amount of reduction depends strongly on the density and type of defects at small density level. However, at higher defect density level, the thermal conductivity of defective graphene decreases slowly with increasing defect density and shows marginal dependence on the defect type. The thermal conductivity is found to become less sensitive to temperature with increasing defect density.

► Thermal conductivity of defective graphene is investigated by using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations.
► Single vacancy, double vacancy and Stone–Wales defects can greatly reduce the thermal conductivity of graphene.
► The amount of reduction depends strongly on the density and type of defects at small density level.
► At higher defect density level, the thermal conductivity of defective graphene shows marginal dependence on the defect type.
► Thermal conductivity is less sensitive to temperature with increasing defect density.