Heat transfer through hydrogenated graphene superlattice nanoribbons: a computational study

Optimization of thermal conductivity of nanomaterials enables the fabrication of tailor-made nanodevices for thermoelectric applications. Superlattice nanostructures are correspondingly introduced to minimize the thermal conductivity of nanomaterials. Herein we computationally estimate the effect of total length and superlattice period (l_p) on the thermal conductivity of graphene/graphane superlattice nanoribbons using molecular dynamics simulation. The intrinsic thermal conductivity (κ_∞) is demonstrated to be dependent on l_p. The κ_∞ of the superlattice, nanoribbons decreased by approximately 96% and 88% compared to that of pristine graphene and graphane, respectively. By modifying the overall length of the developed structure, we identified the ballistic-diffusive transition regime at 120 nm. Further study of the superlattice periods yielded a minimal thermal conductivity value of 144 W m⁻¹ k⁻¹ at l_p = 3.4 nm. This superlattice characteristic is connected to the phonon coherent length, specifically, the length of the turning point at which the wave-like behavior of phonons starts to dominate the particle-like behavior. Our results highlight a roadmap for thermal conductivity value control via appropriate adjustments of the superlattice period.