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Origami folding enables ultrahigh and reversible mechanical energy storage in pillared graphene

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Pooya SarehORCiD

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Abstract

© 2026 Author(s). The ability to accommodate large deformation while maintaining full structural recoverability remains a challenge in the design of lightweight mechanical energy storage materials. Here, we demonstrate through molecular dynamics simulations that pillared graphene, a three-dimensional nanostructure made of parallel graphene sheets interconnected by vertically aligned carbon nanotubes, can achieve an unprecedented combination of ultrahigh mechanical energy storage and complete structural recovery up to 38% compressive strain. This exceptional performance stems from a unique deformation mechanism wherein the graphene layers undergo reversible Miura origami-like folding, generating an extended stress plateau together with pronounced auxetic behavior. Parametric analyses further reveal distinct roles of geometric parameters: inter-pillar distance governs the transition between global and localized folding modes, while pillar height independently modulates the elastic modulus without compromising deformation reversibility. Our findings establish a design paradigm for high-capacity energy storage and mechanical buffering systems, and highlight architecturally guided deformation as an effective strategy for exploiting the elastic potential of carbon-based nanomaterials.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Shi P, Chen Y, Xie T, Guo T, Feng J, Sareh P

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Applied Physics Letters

Year: 2026

Volume: 128

Issue: 10

Print publication date: 09/03/2026

Online publication date: 12/03/2026

Acceptance date: 23/02/2026

ISSN (print): 0003-6951

ISSN (electronic): 1077-3118

Publisher: American Institute of Physics

URL: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0316430

DOI: 10.1063/5.0316430

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