Large-Area Single-Crystal Graphene—Grown by CVD on Ni(111) and Its Macroscale Tensile Loading Mechanics

We convert as-received polycrystalline Nickel (Ni) foils to Ni(111) foils and grow epitaxial large area single crystal graphene on these Ni(111) foils. This graphene on the Ni(111) has unique (remarkable) features that will be described (manuscript in preparation).<br/>Large-area single crystal graphene is adhered to polymer films that are ~100-nm thick. <i>Macroscale</i> ‘dogbone’ specimens are floated on a water surface in a homebuilt “float on water” tensile loading system. Tensile loading of these specimens including as a function of crystallographic orientation (e.g., zig zag, armchair, and “in between” zz and ac) is used to obtain the Young’s modulus and fracture strength. The stiffness and particularly the strength values suggest the eventual widespread use of CVD-grown single crystal, large area, graphene in cars, trains, planes, and many, many, other applications calling for exceptionally high macroscale specific strength. We appreciate support by the Institute for Basic Science (IBS-R019-D1).