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Chemical Physics Letters 646 (2016) 110–118 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Chemical Physics Letters jou rn al h om epa ge: www.elsevier.com/locate/cplett Computational analysis of hydrogenated graphyne folding Christopher Lenear, Matthew Becton, Xianqiao Wang College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States a r t i c l e i n f o Article history: Received 6 November 2015 In final form 11 January 2016 Available online 14 January 2016 a b s t r a c t This letter employs molecular mechanics simulations to analyze the geometric changes of foreign-atom- doped graphyne. Simulation results show that higher the density of dopant and the greater area covered by the dopant correlates to a greater folding angle of the graphyne sheet. Compared to graphene, graphyne folding could prove to be more effective for various nanodevices based on its unique band gap, especially when doped, and its tunable interactions with and absorption of foreign molecules. Therefore, our findings may offer unique perspectives into the development of novel graphyne-based nanodevices and stimulate the community’s research interest in graphene-related origami. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction In the past decade, there has been an explosive growth in the development and utilization of novel nanostructured mate- rials. Accordingly, interest in two-dimensional materials such as graphene has raised many folds. It has been shown that this single-atom thick, carbon-based material possesses intriguing and promising properties especially useful for the fields of electronics and material science [1–8]. Because of its unique two-dimensional geometry, this material has a tremendous surface area to volume ratio. Despite its size and two-dimensional geometry, graphene endows surprisingly robust mechanical properties including high values of elastic modulus, ultimate stress, and strength. Graphene’s great conductivity and unique electronic structures have also been exhibited [9–11]. This distinctive set of properties holds enormous potential in the design of future nanotechnologies, such as elec- tronics, filters, biomedical devices, and many other technologies. Recently, there has been a wealth of literature focused on the properties and functionalities of graphene folding [6,7,12–14]. However, far less is known about its potentially similarly useful allotropes, including graphyne. Graphyne is also a single-atom thick material made of carbon, like graphene, but differs in its bond- ing. Unlike the bonding in graphene, cyclohexanes are bonded to each other indirectly via a set of acetylenic linkages (–C C–) [9,10,15–17]. These single and triple bonds lead to potentially unlimited lattice structures, endowing graphynes with a variety of mechanical [15,18–22], electrical [23–28], and chemical properties [29–31]. There are different forms of graphyne based on the number Corresponding author. E-mail address: [email protected] (X. Wang). of acetylene linkages between benzene-like rings and the patterns of the bonds. For example, -, -, -graphynes have all been defined and vary in their respective bonding patterns [32]. -Graphyne is a lattice of benzene-like rings attached to one another by any num- ber of alternating single and triple bonds; as it is the only form of graphyne covered in this work, it shall henceforth be referred to as “graphyne”. Graphyne-n describes the specific type of gra- phyne where n is an integer describing the number of triple bonds between neighboring benzene rings. For example, graphyne-3 has three triple bonds in a line between two benzenes. For convenience, graphyne-0 is just graphene. These are shown in Fig. 1a and d. Previously, much of the research into graphynes has focused on the properties of the pure substance [9,15,17,18,32–34]. For example, numerical results from both molecular dynamics (MD) simulations [2,4,7,19,20,35–37] and first-principle calculations [9,24,28,38] showed that the in-plane stiffness of graphyne-n is substantially lower than that of graphene and the band gap of the graphyne family is found to be modified by applying strain through various approaches. In this letter, we study dopant-influenced graphyne folding. Using molecular mechanics simulations, we compare how the number of acetylene linkages, doping patterns, and choice of dopant affect the ways in which graphyne self- folds. Specifically, we focus on -graphynes with n = 1, 2, and 3. Graphyne-1, graphyne-2, and graphyne-3 are shown in Fig. 1b–d to illustrate the different number of linkages. Recent research on graphene has proven that this two-dimensional material can be utilized in DNA sequencing, filtration devices, and other biomed- ical devices [39,40]. Similarly, we expect that our results can be employed in designing new nanomaterials and hopefully inspire further research into the folding processes and functionaliza- tion possibilities of graphyne. Folded graphyne shows potential to be tailored for drug delivery systems, electrical devices, and http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cplett.2016.01.025 0009-2614/© 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Chemical Physics Letters · 2016. 9. 23. · C. Lenear et al. / Chemical Physics Letters 646 (2016) 110–118 111 Fig. 1. Atomistic structures: (a) graphene; (b–d) -graphyne-1,

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Page 1: Chemical Physics Letters · 2016. 9. 23. · C. Lenear et al. / Chemical Physics Letters 646 (2016) 110–118 111 Fig. 1. Atomistic structures: (a) graphene; (b–d) -graphyne-1,

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Chemical Physics Letters 646 (2016) 110–118

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Chemical Physics Letters

jou rn al h om epa ge: www.elsev ier .com/ locate /cp le t t

omputational analysis of hydrogenated graphyne folding

hristopher Lenear, Matthew Becton, Xianqiao Wang ∗

ollege of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States

r t i c l e i n f o

rticle history:eceived 6 November 2015

n final form 11 January 2016

a b s t r a c t

This letter employs molecular mechanics simulations to analyze the geometric changes of foreign-atom-doped graphyne. Simulation results show that higher the density of dopant and the greater area covered

vailable online 14 January 2016by the dopant correlates to a greater folding angle of the graphyne sheet. Compared to graphene, graphynefolding could prove to be more effective for various nanodevices based on its unique band gap, especiallywhen doped, and its tunable interactions with and absorption of foreign molecules. Therefore, our findingsmay offer unique perspectives into the development of novel graphyne-based nanodevices and stimulatethe community’s research interest in graphene-related origami.

© 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

. Introduction

In the past decade, there has been an explosive growth inhe development and utilization of novel nanostructured mate-ials. Accordingly, interest in two-dimensional materials such asraphene has raised many folds. It has been shown that thisingle-atom thick, carbon-based material possesses intriguing andromising properties especially useful for the fields of electronicsnd material science [1–8]. Because of its unique two-dimensionaleometry, this material has a tremendous surface area to volumeatio. Despite its size and two-dimensional geometry, graphenendows surprisingly robust mechanical properties including highalues of elastic modulus, ultimate stress, and strength. Graphene’sreat conductivity and unique electronic structures have also beenxhibited [9–11]. This distinctive set of properties holds enormousotential in the design of future nanotechnologies, such as elec-ronics, filters, biomedical devices, and many other technologies.

Recently, there has been a wealth of literature focused onhe properties and functionalities of graphene folding [6,7,12–14].owever, far less is known about its potentially similarly usefulllotropes, including graphyne. Graphyne is also a single-atom thickaterial made of carbon, like graphene, but differs in its bond-

ng. Unlike the bonding in graphene, cyclohexanes are bondedo each other indirectly via a set of acetylenic linkages (–C C–)9,10,15–17]. These single and triple bonds lead to potentially

nlimited lattice structures, endowing graphynes with a variety ofechanical [15,18–22], electrical [23–28], and chemical properties

29–31]. There are different forms of graphyne based on the number

∗ Corresponding author.E-mail address: [email protected] (X. Wang).

ttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cplett.2016.01.025009-2614/© 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

of acetylene linkages between benzene-like rings and the patternsof the bonds. For example, �-, �-, �-graphynes have all been definedand vary in their respective bonding patterns [32]. �-Graphyne is alattice of benzene-like rings attached to one another by any num-ber of alternating single and triple bonds; as it is the only formof graphyne covered in this work, it shall henceforth be referredto as “graphyne”. Graphyne-n describes the specific type of gra-phyne where n is an integer describing the number of triple bondsbetween neighboring benzene rings. For example, graphyne-3 hasthree triple bonds in a line between two benzenes. For convenience,graphyne-0 is just graphene. These are shown in Fig. 1a and d.

Previously, much of the research into graphynes has focusedon the properties of the pure substance [9,15,17,18,32–34]. Forexample, numerical results from both molecular dynamics (MD)simulations [2,4,7,19,20,35–37] and first-principle calculations[9,24,28,38] showed that the in-plane stiffness of graphyne-n issubstantially lower than that of graphene and the band gap of thegraphyne family is found to be modified by applying strain throughvarious approaches. In this letter, we study dopant-influencedgraphyne folding. Using molecular mechanics simulations, wecompare how the number of acetylene linkages, doping patterns,and choice of dopant affect the ways in which graphyne self-folds. Specifically, we focus on �-graphynes with n = 1, 2, and 3.Graphyne-1, graphyne-2, and graphyne-3 are shown in Fig. 1b–dto illustrate the different number of linkages. Recent research ongraphene has proven that this two-dimensional material can beutilized in DNA sequencing, filtration devices, and other biomed-ical devices [39,40]. Similarly, we expect that our results can be

employed in designing new nanomaterials and hopefully inspirefurther research into the folding processes and functionaliza-tion possibilities of graphyne. Folded graphyne shows potentialto be tailored for drug delivery systems, electrical devices, and
Page 2: Chemical Physics Letters · 2016. 9. 23. · C. Lenear et al. / Chemical Physics Letters 646 (2016) 110–118 111 Fig. 1. Atomistic structures: (a) graphene; (b–d) -graphyne-1,

C. Lenear et al. / Chemical Physics Letters 646 (2016) 110–118 111

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Fig. 1. Atomistic structures: (a)

ther nanotechnologies. Folded two-dimensional carbon sheetsave the capability to encapsulate drugs, respond to magneticelds, and filter liquids [36–38,41]. All of these properties can besed in the biomedical field. Doping and applying strains to gra-hynes alters the magnetic and electronic properties of the material10,11,22,42–48]. This programmability will be useful in the elec-ronic development fields.

. Computational models and methods

All of the experimentation and production of models are per-ormed using molecular mechanics simulation. All models arereated using the same process. First, a repeating unit cell of eachype of graphyne is constructed based on similar dimensions from

any previous works [9,16,18]. Using these crystals, a sheet isreated for each graphyne with 1000–1300 carbon atoms and aidth to length ratio of approximately 2:1. These parameters wereecided upon instead of a common sheet size because of the vari-nces in lengths of the acetylene linkages for each value of n. Theimulation box the sheet is placed in is larger than the sheet itself.herefore, any out-of-plane behavior and any motion of the sheethat occurs during the minimization process will not be influencedy the boundary conditions. Essentially, these reactions are carriedut with aperiodic boundary conditions.

After a sheet is a created, dopants are added in some specifiedatterns by bonding the dopants to the carbon atoms and adjus-ing the hybridizations of the doped carbons. For example, when

carbon comprising the benzene-like ring is doped, a single bondo a dopant atom is created, and the partial double bonds fromhe doped carbon to the surrounding carbons in the benzene-likeing are changed to single bonds. The doping patterns are cho-en so that there is a sufficient width of graphyne on each sideo respond to the dispersive forces of the dopant. Also, doping inhe lengthwise direction allows for sheets with shorter lengths to

xpedite the simulation process. A series of different doping pat-erns are chosen in order to illustrate the effects of different doingatterns, densities, and areas. These specific doping patterns aresed to find local deformations of graphynes for the purpose of

ene; (b–d) �-graphyne-1, 2, 3.

providing details for the creation two- or three-dimensional struc-tures in future research. Keeping the dopants in a line, but varyingthe densities and areas of the dopants, allows for a controlled studyof graphyne’s reactions, which can prove to be useful for function-alization studies. Once a sheet is doped and the bonding is alteredappropriately, simulations are run.

The same process is carried out for each molecular mechan-ics simulation. Energy minimization simulations are completedusing condensed-phase optimized molecular potentials for atom-istic simulation studies (COMPASS) force field, an ab initio forcefield. It has been shown to produce accurate results for simula-tions with all of the bonding interactions present in carbon-basedsystem. Energy minimizations are set to calculate both van derWaals interactions and Coulomb forces existing within the crystalcontaining the model. The summation method is atom based. TheFletcher-Reeves and Newton method, based on Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shano (BFGS), is used in the minimization process. Thecutoff, spline width, and buffer width for both van der Waals andCoulomb forces were set to 12.5, 3, and 1 A, respectively. The NVTensemble is used with a constant temperature of 298 K. The typeof summation for the long-range electrostatic interaction is Ewald,and conjugate gradient (Fletcher-Reeves) method is used to min-imize the energy of the system. Energy minimization is run for250,000 iterations to ensure no unexpected changes in energy aremissed. It is concluded that after a certain amount of steps, theenergy minimization has converged for each sample. In this work,the x–y plane is that of the undeformed sheet, while the z directionis perpendicular to the undeformed sheet.

In order to ensure that our results are accurate when graphyneis doped, we first examine how graphyne minimizes its energyunder normal conditions, before it is doped. When each type ofpristine graphyne is allowed to relax, we have the results dis-played in Fig. 2. Our results indicate that increasing n, and therebyincreasing the number of acetylene groups, increases planarity of

the sheet. The wave-like pattern displayed by graphyne-1 can beexplained by previous works. As shown by Liu et al., graphene, orgraphyne-0, displays “intrinsic ripples” [49]. Cranford and Buehler[15] display how pristine graphyne-1exhibits ripples as well. This
Page 3: Chemical Physics Letters · 2016. 9. 23. · C. Lenear et al. / Chemical Physics Letters 646 (2016) 110–118 111 Fig. 1. Atomistic structures: (a) graphene; (b–d) -graphyne-1,

112 C. Lenear et al. / Chemical Physics

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ig. 2. Configuration states of pristine n-graphynes after energy minimization: (a) = 1; (b) n = 2; (c) n = 3.

rend can be explicated by the increased distance between ben-ene rings. Graphynes with more acetylenic linkages are less densehan graphynes-0 and -1. Since the carbon atoms are spread fartherpart, they sustain weaker repulsive van der Waals interactions thatould force the sheets out of plane. As a result, the sheets remainore planar.

. Results and discussions

.1. Folding angle vs. linkages

Using the afore-mentioned sheets, three hydrogen doping pat-erns are used to compare the dopant-induced folding angles ofraphyne-1, -2, and -3. Hydrogen is chosen because of its easef use and to allow for comparisons to the many former studiesn doping graphene with hydrogen [6,7,49,50]. The three patternsary in dopant area and density, but all of the doping patterns aren the reclined-chair direction. It is ensured that only the sp2 car-ons of the benzene rings are doped; this alters the hybridization ofhe doped carbons to sp3 and changes the aromaticity of the ring. Itas been shown that doping the sp2 carbon atoms in the graphyneings results in the greatest stability [11,48]. The bonding of hydro-en atoms results in a strong attraction to their respective carbontoms. The hydrogenated carbon atoms must transition from a pla-ar sp2 hybridization to a tetrahedral sp3 hybridization to adjust forhe extra bonding [6]. Also, each of the surrounding carbon atomsxperiences a repulsive force. Driven by van der Waals interactionsnd the change in molecular geometry, there is a local deformationf the graphyne sheet as the surrounding carbons are pushed awayrom the hydrogens [6,7,48], resulting in designed deformations ofhe sheet.

It has been shown that the degree of bending induced in theraphyne sheets is related to the number of acetylenic linkagesn) in the graphyne. This is a result of the varying hardness andending stiffness associated with the sheets. Also, the distancesetween neighboring carbon atoms and the dopants affect thengle. Recent studies by Cranford [15] and Becton [41] indicatehat the mechanical properties, including bending stiffness andardness of graphene, are very similar to those of graphyne-1.ince there is a single acetylenic linker between benzene-like ringsn graphyne-1, and triple bonds are harder to rotate than singleonds, graphyne-1 is almost as stiff as graphene. However, once nxceeds one, the hardness and bending stiffness decrease drasti-ally. The presence of the easily-rotated single bonds on the longerets of linkers between benzylic rings allows these sheets to bend

ore readily and gives them a more elastic property. Hou [35] also

ointed out that the effective bond density decreases as n increases.o matter how densely the graphyne sheet is doped, there are

ewer carbons close enough to experience any repulsive force of

Letters 646 (2016) 110–118

the dopant. Although graphynes with higher values of n are lessresistant to bending, more dopants are needed over a wider area toinduce smaller bending angles.

Three doping patterns are studied to compare graphyne-1,-2,and -3. Doping Pattern #1 is characterized by a narrow line ofhydrogens that are densely packed. Doping Pattern #2 has a largedoping area, but it is less densely doped. Doping Pattern #3 hasa high density of doping hydrogen, and the doping area is wider.Each of these patterns is shown in Fig. 3, subfigures a, e and i. Thegreater the density of dopant, the stronger the bending forces. Witha wider doping area comes a higher chance for multiple bends. Mul-tiple bends in a sheet result in multiple angles. These angles caneither have a large impact on the overall geometry of the sheetor have a miniscule one. When two angles are formed, the initialangle between lines of dopants is formed first during the minimi-zation process, and it has little effect on the final geometry of thegraphyne sheet. To measure the bending at local carbons in thebending regions, angles are measured from the center to the edgesof the doping width, as shown in Fig. S1 (in Supplementary Mate-rials). The second angle to form in during the energy minimizationis the � bending angle. This is the angle that truly defines the over-all bending, and therefore is referred to as the effective bendingangle. The effective bending angle (�) is defined to be the angleproduced between the halves of the sheet outside of initial anglewithin doped lines. The effective bending angle in Fig. 4 is the angledenoted as � in Fig. 3. The angle is formed outside of the width of alldopants, from the outer lines to the edges of the sheet. By measur-ing the angle from one far end of the graphyne sheet to the outsideline of dopants, denoted as angle �, we can approximate that theopposite angle is identical since both sides of the sheet are of equallength, making an isosceles triangle. Knowing angle � allows us tocalculate the bending angle, � as shown in Fig. S2. Angle � can befound using this approximation and simple geometry. The reportedangles are averages of all angles measured from equilateral pointsalong the lengths of the sheets as shown in Fig. S3.

Doping Pattern #1 has only one bending angle because of thenarrow doping pattern used. Therefore, the � bending angle is theonly angle formed, as illustrated in the figure. Doping Patterns#2 and #3 have multiple lines of benzene rings that are doped.This produces multiple angles. Fig. 4 summarizes the results of theenergy minimizations for all cases. The higher values of n corre-spond to a steeper change in angle as a result of initial doping. Thisis most likely a result of the relative stiffness of each graphyne.As n increases, the number of weaker C–C single bonds increases,and the modulus of elasticity for the sheet decreases [17,18,41].The softer graphynes react more quickly to the doping by bendingmore easily. However, once a very large amount of area is dopedvery densely, graphyne-1 produces the greatest change in bend-ing angle. The increasing area of dopant and increasing density ofdopant have an overall effect of decreasing the effective bendingangle, and increasing the change in angle.

Analysis of the energy minimization potential and non-bondingenergies reveals that when two angles are formed, two separatedips in energy occur. These two dips are illustrated in Fig. 5. Theenergy minimization step-by-step process displayed in Fig. 6 isgraphyne-1 when doped with Pattern #3. Initially, the doped car-bons rise slightly and push the distal end of the sheet downward(Fig. 6a). This quickly forces the sheet the curve, but planarity of theends is quickly regained as a result of van der Waals forces (Fig. 6b).The sheet curves and returns to planar halves during the almostlevel portion of the energy graph (Fig. 6c). The angle between linesof dopants is the first to form, and the energy graph displays a sec-

ond drop when the � angle forms (Fig. 6d). Once the medial portionof the sheet has formed the effective bending angle, the distal halfof the sheet must follow (Fig. 6e and f). This is a result of the local-ized dispersive forces applied by the hydrogen. Then, once again,
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C. Lenear et al. / Chemical Physics Letters 646 (2016) 110–118 113

Fig. 3. Results of Doping Patterns #1, #2, and #3. (a, e, i) the Doping Patterns #1, #2, and #3; (b–d) the results of energy minimization of graphyne-1, -2, and -3, respectively;(f–h) the energy minimization results of graphyne-1, -2, and -3, respectively; (j–l) the energy minimization results of graphyne-1, -2, and -3, respectively.

Fig. 4. Comparison of the effective bending angles versus number of linkers.

Fig. 5. Energy minimization graph for the formation of two angles.

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114 C. Lenear et al. / Chemical Physics Letters 646 (2016) 110–118

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ig. 6. Energy minimization process illustrated using graphyne-1 doped with Patte200 iterations; (f) 9700 iterations; (g) 11,700 Iterations.

an der Waals forces allow the ends of the sheet to complete the angle and become planar once again (Fig. 6g). The bending anglesed for comparisons was the angle that resulted after the struc-ure was completely relaxed. The structure was deemed to havenished the minimization process after at least one extra minimi-ation simulation was run till the structure did not change any morend the energy in the system remained constant. Extra simulationsere run to ensure the structure was relaxed even in the case that

local minimum was found. After the appropriate graphyne haseen selected for specific designs of novel nanotechnologies, theseesults can be tailored for the geometrical designs.

Another simulation was run to analyze the folding when gra-hyne is doped on both sides. The doping pattern used has the

owest density and area compared to the other patterns used. Ifdatoms are placed directly oppositely, the van der Waals pressurexerted by the electron orbitals cancel out, and folding does notccur. However, if the dopants are placed on opposite sides but notirectly oppositely, then folding occurs similar to the way it doeshen a single side is doped. When the length of the sheet is kept as

he same used for the single-side doping patterns, the dual-sidedoping pattern results in an angle decrease of about 20◦ as shown inig. S4 (a) of the supplementary material. However, in an attempto make keep the distance from dopant to sheet edge consistentith single-sided doping trials, there is an angle increase of about

◦ as shown in Fig. S4 (b).

.2. Doping patterns vs. folding patterns

In order to study the different folding effects of hydrogen pat-erning, we restrict our models to only include graphyne-1. Wese the same original sample sheet that was used for graphyne-1

n the previous section. In the first trials, only benzene rings areoped, as hydrogenated graphynes are more stable in this way.

he doping patterns for benzene doping are shown in Fig. 7. Theseatterns include the patterns used previously and an additionalhree patterns. The added doping patterns allow for a more grad-al transition from a low doping density and low doping area to

. (a) 500 Iterations; (b) 1800 Iterations; (c) 3600 Iterations; (d) 5600 iterations; (e)

a high doping density and high doing area. The resulting � anglesare displayed below the corresponding doping patterns. As a gen-eral trend, the more densely packed the hydrogens are, and themore area covered by the hydrogens, producing multiple bends,the smaller the resulting angle. The more hydrogen bonded within asmall area the larger the bending force. As the electron clouds of theatoms are forced closer together, they require more room, mean-ing that the surrounding carbon atoms must move farther away tominimize the strain energies. When two bends are produced by awider hydrogen distribution, the angles of each of these are effec-tively added together to form the � bending angle. The multipleangles result in a larger overall angle than the angle produced by anarrow line of dopants. Fig. 8 shows the graphical representationof the comparison of these effective bending angles. As describedbefore, the change from graphyne’s planar, 180◦ sheet, increases asthe doping density and area of doping increases.

Although doping only the benzenes in graphyne results ingreater stability, hydrogens preferentially bind to sp1 carbons onthe acetylenic linkages under normal conditions [48]. When dopingalong the linkages, the bonding between carbons is altered. Allof the triple bonds along the doping line are changed to doublebonds as the � electrons are used to bond the hydrogens, and thehybridization of these carbons changes to sp2. Once again, onlygraphyne-1 is considered in these trials, and the sheet used ini-tially has the same dimensions as the previous trials for graphyne-1.As shown in Fig. 9a, the first sheet is doped along the reclined-chair direction, resulting in a straight line of hydrogens separatedby benzene rings. Also, graphyne is doped along its shorter length.Interestingly, instead of producing a distinct angle along the dopantline, this patterning resulted in a curvature in the direction perpen-dicular to the expected bending. Fig. 9b and c show the structurethat forms in response to the energy minimization. This is a result ofthe major forces being applied to neighboring hydrogens, instead of

to neighboring carbons. The reason for the different bending may beattributed to the relative distances of neighboring atoms. The clos-est carbons that will experience the bulk of the van der Waals forcesare the neighboring, doped carbons and the neighboring benzylic
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C. Lenear et al. / Chemical Physics Letters 646 (2016) 110–118 115

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ig. 7. Doping patterns and corresponding effective bending angles produced after

nd bending angles after minimization.

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arbons. From Fig. S5, we can see that these are 1.6 and 1.2 A awayrom the nearest doped carbon. The next closest carbons are 2.75nd 3.57 A away. The undoped carbons may be so far away from theopants’ van der Waal radii that they are hardly affected at all by

ig. 8. Graphical comparison of doping patterns and the effective bending angles.

ization. (a–c, g–i) The doping patterns from 1 to 6; (d–f, j–l) the resulting structure

their electron clouds. Fig. 9c shows a slight indentation along thedoping line, indicating that the local, undoped carbons are affectedby these forces; but, they do not experience the bulk of the forces.The added distance from dopant to undoped carbons results in thecurvature exhibited.

In the following trial of acetylene doping, we use a similarlysized sheet, but this time it is oriented so that the reclined-chairdirection runs the width of the sheet instead of along the length.Its dimensions are shown in Fig. 10a. Fig. 10 is very similar to Fig. 9.However, the graphyne sheet has dimensions opposite to thosefrom Fig. 9. The doping pattern is in the same direction in both fig-ures, but the length is much longer, and the width is much shorter.This means that the line of dopants is much longer, based on thedirection and size of the sheets. The added length of dopants gavethe sheet more room to curl into a tubular pattern. Other than thesize difference and the amount of dopant that was used, every othervariable was held constant from Fig. 9 to Fig. 10.

By altering the lengths of the sheets we found that a nanoscrollcan be formed in some cases, but not in others. With additional

simulations, varying the length of the graphyne sheets results inthe two patterns shown in Fig. S6, a nanoscroll and a broad, cir-cular shape. At very short sheet lengths and at very long sheetlengths, a curvature is formed. However, at an intermediate length,
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116 C. Lenear et al. / Chemical Physics Letters 646 (2016) 110–118

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Fig. 9. (a) Doping pattern along linkages; (b) view perpendicular to t

ike in the trial at 95 A in Fig. S6 (b), a nanoscroll will be formed.n the study of nanotubes, transport, or other fields, these results

ay provide promising and intriguing design strategies. A cylindri-al graphyne sheet with such an engineered radius may be able toransport or encapsulate proteins, cells, or drugs to be used in theelds of biomedical nanotechnologies and drug delivery systems.

.3. Alternative dopants

Previous studies, like those analyzing carbon nanoscrolls [49],ave suggested that alternating dopants can better control theesired curvature and angle of graphynes. Here, we analyze how theolding angle of graphyne-1 changes when the dopant is changed.

e use the same doping patterns and sheet dimensions alreadysed previously to allow for accurate comparisons. In the first tri-ls, we change the dopant to fluorine. Results of the minimizationre illustrated in Fig. 11. The main effect fluorine has, other than

Fig. 10. (a) Dimensions of graphyne sheet and doping pattern; (b) view perpendicula

xis after minimization; (c) view along the z-axis after minimization.

the torsional effects on Doping Pattern #3, is a smaller bendingangle for lower densities and areas of dopant. Once the dopingarea and density are high enough, as seen in Doping Patterns #5and #6, hydrogen produces a smaller bending angle. This maybe a result of fluorine’s higher electronegativity. The larger elec-tron clouds of fluorine may contribute to the difference in bendingangle and the torsion (shown in Fig. 11c). In the very narrowand densely doped pattern, the large van der Waals radii of flu-orine may force the neighboring fluorine atoms and doped carbonsto bend out of plane as was seen when the acetylenic linkageswere doped. The additional strong forces displayed by fluorineare most likely the cause of the two-dimensional bending. Otherthan the previously-mentioned differences in bending, the trendsof results from each dopant from pattern to pattern are similar. This

may stem from between hydrogen and fluorine in terms of theirsmall size and single-bond forming properties. To further test theeffects of dopants, nitrogen, silicon, and sulfur were used, and the

r to the z-axis after minimization; (c) view along the z-axis after minimization.

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C. Lenear et al. / Chemical Physics Letters 646 (2016) 110–118 117

orine

rmaaartsr

Fafl

Fig. 11. Results of energy minimization trials using a flu

esulting angles are compared graphically in Fig. 12. These ele-ents were chosen purely for theoretical study, and were used in an

ttempt to find a correlation between properties of dopants, suchs Van der Waals radii, molecular weight, and electronegativity,nd resulting bending angles in graphyne. Each change in dopant

esults in a change in angle. Though, they all tend to follow the samerend as their densities and areas increase. However, there does noteem to be a correlation between bending angle and either atomicadii or electronegativity, respectively.

ig. 12. Comparison of different dopants and their corresponding effective bendingngles. (a) Nitrogen-, silicon-, and sulfur-doped bending angles; (b) hydrogen anduorine doped bending angles.

dopant. (a–f) Previous doping patterns for graphyne-1.

4. Conclusions

This work has examined and compared the ways in whichthe number of acetylenic linkages, types of doping patterns, andvarying dopants affect the minimized geometries of sheets of gra-phynes. We conclude that more flexible graphynes with highervalues of n respond more quickly to doping, but all graphynes followthe same trend of decreasing their effective bending angles as theamount of dopant and area of dopant are increased. When multi-ple angles are produced, there is a great change from its originalplanarity. The choice of doping ring structures for stability resultsin a continuous bend in a graphyne sheet that is dependent on theamount and area of dopant. When linkages between the benzene-like rings are doped, energy minimization of the sheet produces acurvature in the opposite direction. Various dopants all produce thesame trend in bending angles, but each provides a different degreeof bending. Based on these results, this study should serve as a basisfor studying the functional possibilities of graphynes, and furtherresearch should be conducted to compliment this.

Acknowledgements

Support from the University of Georgia Research Foundationwas appreciated. All of the modeling and simulations were per-formed at the Georgia Advanced Computing Resource Center of theUniversity of Georgia.

Appendix A. Supplementary data

Supplementary data associated with this article can be found, inthe online version, at doi:10.1016/j.cplett.2016.01.025.

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