Abstract

Despite extensive microscale studies, the macroscopic mechanical properties of monolayer graphene remain underexplored. Here, we report the Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and failure strain of centimeter-scale single-crystal monolayer graphene samples with edges aligned along zigzag, armchair, and chiral directions, supported by an ultra-thin polycarbonate film. The graphene is grown on single-crystal Cu(111) foils by chemical vapor deposition. A home-built float-on-water tensile testing system enables uniaxial loading and in situ crack observation. Quantized fracture mechanics and Weibull analysis are used to interpret chirality-dependent failure and estimate edge defect sizes and projected strengths for A₄-size samples.

Abstract

Despite extensive microscale studies, the macroscopic mechanical properties of monolayer graphene remain underexplored. Here, we report the Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and failure strain of centimeter-scale single-crystal monolayer graphene samples with edges aligned along zigzag, armchair, and chiral directions, supported by an ultra-thin polycarbonate film. The graphene is grown on single-crystal Cu(111) foils by chemical vapor deposition. A home-built float-on-water tensile testing system enables uniaxial loading and in situ crack observation. Quantized fracture mechanics and Weibull analysis are used to interpret chirality-dependent failure and estimate edge defect sizes and projected strengths for A₄-size samples.

Abstract

Despite extensive microscale studies, the macroscopic mechanical properties of monolayer graphene remain underexplored. Here, we report the Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and failure strain of centimeter-scale single-crystal monolayer graphene samples with edges aligned along zigzag, armchair, and chiral directions, supported by an ultra-thin polycarbonate film. The graphene is grown on single-crystal Cu(111) foils by chemical vapor deposition. A home-built float-on-water tensile testing system enables uniaxial loading and in situ crack observation. Quantized fracture mechanics and Weibull analysis are used to interpret chirality-dependent failure and estimate edge defect sizes and projected strengths for A₄-size samples.

Abstract

Despite extensive microscale studies, the macroscopic mechanical properties of monolayer graphene remain underexplored. Here, we report the Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and failure strain of centimeter-scale single-crystal monolayer graphene samples with edges aligned along zigzag, armchair, and chiral directions, supported by an ultra-thin polycarbonate film. The graphene is grown on single-crystal Cu(111) foils by chemical vapor deposition. A home-built float-on-water tensile testing system enables uniaxial loading and in situ crack observation. Quantized fracture mechanics and Weibull analysis are used to interpret chirality-dependent failure and estimate edge defect sizes and projected strengths for A₄-size samples.