title: Melting of graphene: from two to one dimension.
abstract: The high temperature behaviour of graphene is studied by atomistic simulations based on an accurate interatomic potential for carbon. We find that clustering of Stone-Wales defects and formation of octagons are the first steps in the process of melting which proceeds via the formation of carbon chains. The molten state forms a three-dimensional network of entangled chains rather than a simple liquid. The melting temperature estimated from the two-dimensional Lindemann criterion and from extrapolation of our simulation for different heating rates is about 4900 K.
authors.affiliation: Radboud University of Nijmegen, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: K V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Zakharchenko
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fasolino
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Los
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Katsnelson