Abstract
The surface tension of free-standing graphene is studied by path-integral simulations as a function of the temperature and the in-plane stress. Even if the applied stress vanishes, the membrane displays a finite surface tension due to the coupling between the bending oscillations and the real area of the membrane. Zero-point effects for are significant below 100 K. Thermal cooling drives the membrane from a planar to a wrinkled morphology. Upon heating the change is reversible and shows hysteresis, in agreement with recent experiments performed on supported graphene.
- Received 16 March 2018
- Revised 27 April 2018
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.97.235426
©2018 American Physical Society