title: Nanoscale Mechanics of Graphene and Graphene Oxide in Composites: A Scientific and Technological Perspective.
abstract: Graphene shows considerable promise in structural composite applications thanks to its unique combination of high tensile strength, Young's modulus and structural flexibility which arise due to its maximal chemical bond strength and minimal atomic thickness. However, the ultimate performance of graphene composites will depend, in addition to the properties of the matrix and interface, on the morphology of the graphene used, including the size and shape of the sheets and the number of chemical defects present. For example, whilst oxidized sp(3) carbon atoms and vacancies in a graphene sheet can degrade its mechanical strength, they can also increase its interaction with other materials such as the polymer matrix of a composite, thus maximizing stress transfer and leading to more efficient mechanical reinforcement. Herein, we present an overview of some recently published work on graphene mechanical properties and discuss a list of challenges that need to be overcome (notwithstanding the strong hype existing on this material) for the development of graphene-based materials into a successful technology.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity (ISOF), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via P. Gobetti 101, I-40129, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Palermo
authors.affiliation: The School of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ian A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Kinloch
authors.affiliation: GNext sas, Via d'Azeglio, I-40123, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ligi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Bio-inspired & Graphene Nanomechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.|Center for Materials and Microsystems, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Via Sommarive 18, I-38123, Povo (Trento), Italy.|School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS, London, UK.
authors.forename: Nicola M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Pugno
keywords: composites; graphene; graphene oxide; nanoscale mechanics