Effects of Defect on Mechanical Properties of Silicene Membranes

Applications for silicene are numerous and include electrode materials, as well as its physical and chemical characteristics. Optimizing the performance of nanoporous 2D Silicene membranes requires an understanding of how imperfections affect their mechanical behavior. In this paper, the influence of defects on the tensile properties of uniaxially stretched single-layer silicene was examined using molecular dynamics simulations. We looked at the impact of two important variables on stress-strain behavior, Young's modulus, and ultimate stress: the length of vacancy defects and the number of vacancies. The tensile properties were assessed in armchair and zigzag directions under uniaxial stress. Localized stress concentrations caused by vacancy flaws start cracks and lessen fracture strain. Furthermore, the fracture strain, maximum strength, and Young's modulus further decrease with an increase in defect length or quantity, especially when it occurs perpendicular to the applied tension force. These results help design more robust nanostructures by offering important insights into the mechanical performance of faulty silicene.