Anomalous isotope effect on mechanical properties of single atomic layer Boron Nitride.

ABSTRACT: The ideal mechanical properties and behaviors of materials without the influence of defects are of great fundamental and engineering significance but considered inaccessible. Here, we use single-atom-thin isotopically pure hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) to demonstrate that two-dimensional (2D) materials offer us close-to ideal experimental platforms to study intrinsic mechanical phenomena. The highly delicate isotope effect on the mechanical properties of monolayer hBN is directly measured by indentation: lighter ¹⁰B gives rise to higher elasticity and strength than heavier ¹¹B. This anomalous isotope effect establishes that the intrinsic mechanical properties without the effect of defects could be measured, and the so-called ultrafine and normally neglected isotopic perturbation in nuclear charge distribution sometimes plays a more critical role than the isotopic mass effect in the mechanical and other physical properties of materials.

SUBMITTER: Falin A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10474280 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature