Toward Directional Motion on Graphene by Uniaxial Strain

In this work, we report our analysis of potential energy surfaces and molecular dynamics studies to characterize the motion of C-60, a popular wheel for nanotransporters, on graphene substrates with systematically controlled strains. Our studies reveal that on the verge of 20%, uniaxial strain can increase the activation energy barrier such that it reduces the diffusion coefficient and anomaly parameter of motion in one direction while still allowing diffusion in the other. In other words, stretched graphene along the armchair direction can potentially provide a corridor for C-60 to pass along the zigzag direction. Furthermore, the rolling motion of C-60 is prevented by strain, while the molecule can still spin around the vertical axis even at 20% strain. These data provide a new insight for the development of future nanotransport systems.