The effect of Stone-Wales defects on the mechanical behavior of graphene nano-ribbons

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed on graphene nano-ribbons (GNR) with Stone-Wales defects to study their influence on the mechanical response of GNR under uniaxial tension. Simulations were performed on armchair and zigzag nano-ribbons with Stone-Wales defects with different orientations with widths ranging from 5 nm to 15 nm. Stress-strain response of these GNRs were computed and compared to better understand how Stone-Wales defect influence the mechanical behavior of GNRs. It is shown that a single Stone-Wales defect can change the mechanical performance of GNR. Moreover, the single defect reduces the ultimate strength of the GNR.