Ripples, Strain, and Misfit Dislocations: Structure of Graphene-Boron Nitride Super lattice Interfaces

D Nandwana and E Ertekin, NANO LETTERS, 15, 1468-1475 (2015).

DOI: 10.1021/nl505005t

In recently synthesized two-dimensional superlattices of graphene and boron nitride, the atomic structure of the interface is complicated by a 2% lattice mismatch between the two materials. Using atomistic and continuum analysis, we show that the mismatch results in a competition between two strain-relieving mechanisms: misfit dislocations and rippling. For flat superlattices, beyond a critical pitch the interface is decorated by strain-relieving misfit dislocations. For superlattices that can deform out-of-plane, optimal ripple wavelengths emerge.

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