Instabilities in the blistering of two-dimensional materials

Abstract The blistering of two-dimensional (2D) materials is susceptible to elastic solid- or substrate-based mechanical instabilities. The phase transition of confined matter inside a circular blister or the interfacial slippage at the perimeter of the blister may give rise to wrinkling and tenting instabilities in 2D material blisters. Extensive research has focused on gaining adhesion mechanical insights of such instabilities in 2D material blisters over smooth, rigid substrates like silicon. These insights carry profound implications for quantum emission, magneto-straintronics, plasmonics, and piezotronics. In contrast, blistering a 2D material over a viscoelastic substrate has not received much attention. This gap has led to the underexploration of unconventional but fascinating phenomenon of viscous fingering in 2D materials, recently realized experimentally. Therefore, there is a significant demand for comprehending the formation and dynamics of instabilities in 2D material blisters, necessitating a critical review to advance this field. This understanding is key to either promoting or mitigating such instabilities, which has huge importance for both fundamental research and emerging quantum technologies.