Reduction of Interlayer Interaction in Multilayer Stacking Graphene with Carbon Nanotube Insertion: Insights from Experiment and Simulation

Abstract

The creation of multilayer graphene (Gr), while preserving the brilliant properties of monolayer Gr derived from its unique band structure, can expand the application field of Gr to the macroscale. However, the energy-favorable AB stacking structure in the multilayer Gr induces a strong interlayer interaction and alters the band structure. Consequently, the intrinsic properties of each monolayer are degraded. In this work, we insert carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as nanospacers to modulate the microstructure of multilayer stacking Gr. Nanospacers can increase the interlayer distance and reduce the interlayer interaction. The Gr/CNT stacking structure is experimentally fabricated using a dry transfer method in a layer-by-layer manner. Raman spectroscopy verifies the reduction in the interlayer interaction within the stacking structure. Atomic force microscopy shows an increase in the interlayer distance, which can explain the weakening of the interlayer interactions. The microstructure of the stacked Gr and CNTs is studied by molecular dynamics simulation to systematically investigate the effect of CNT insertion. We found that the distribution distance, size, and arrangement of the CNT can modulate the interlayer distance. These results will help us to understand and improve the properties of the composite systems consisting of Gr and CNTs.

This is the submitted version before review and revision

References in corpus (14)

• The Raman Fingerprint of Graphene
• Ultrahigh electron mobility in suspended graphene
• The structure of suspended graphene sheets
• Suspended Graphene: a bridge to the Dirac point
• Measurement of the Optical Conductivity of Graphene
• Atomic Structure of Graphene on SiO2
• Exceptional piezoelectricity, high thermal conductivity and stiffness and promising photocatalysis in two-dimensional MoSi2N4 family confirmed by first-principles
• Probing the Intrinsic Properties of Exfoliated Graphene: Raman Spectroscopy of Free-Standing Monolayers
• Optical transmittance of multilayer graphene
• Reliably Counting Atomic Planes of Few-Layer Graphene (n>4)
• Pinpoint pick-up and bubble-free assembly of 2D materials using PDMS/PMMA polymers with lens shapes
• Coupling and decoupling of bilayer graphene monitored by electron energy loss spectroscopy
• Bulk-scale synthesis of randomly stacked graphene with high crystallinity
• Elastocaloric Effect in Graphene Kirigami