Developing a nanoelectromechanical shuttle graphene-nanoflake device

•Schematics of nanoscale graphene-flake shuttle-memory.•Energetic and the dynamic properties via molecular dynamics simulations.•Superlubric sliding behavior under electrostatic force.

The superlubric sliding and self-retracting motions of graphene-nanoflakes (GNFs) have been of interest for developing graphene-based nanoelectromechanical systems, as well as for studying basic mechanical properties. Here we present the model schematics of a shuttle GNF device on a graphite ribbon. The operations of this device are based on the balance between the electrostatic force and the retraction vdW force. Its energetics and dynamic properties were investigated using classical molecular dynamic simulations, such that the movable GNF changed its position via the superlubric sliding behavior under electrostatic force and then settled on the force balance position. Since the position of the GNF on the graphite ribbon can be detected by using electric, magnetic, or optical methods, this proposed shuttle GNF can be utilized for nanoscale non-volatile memory, switches, sensors, and quantum computing.