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Multifunctionality and control of the crumpling and unfolding of large-area graphene

This paper presents, through a combination of experiments, atomistic simulations and theory, a method to reversibly control the crumpling and unfolding of large-area graphene sheets, deposited on biaxially pre-stretched polymer substrates. The hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties can be controlled through relaxation of the substrate pre-strains, thus producing a flexible, conductive ‘artificial leaf’ with tunable wettability and transmittance. Possible applications are in the field of artificial-muscle actuators. The paper had wide media coverage (e.g. ‘Trentino’ and ‘RaiNews Space Lab’), and helped Pugno in securing his 2nd ERC grant (Proof of Concept Grant, 2013) on ‘Large-area replication of biological anti-adhesive nanosurfaces’.