Strain-Dependent Wetting of Graphene
Researchers used a machine learning potential to predict water wetting on graphene, finding a weakly hydrophilic contact angle of 72.1±1.5°. They discovered that mechanical strain significantly alters this behavior: tensile strain increases hydrophilicity, while compressive strain induces a phase transition in graphene ripples. This suggests wetting on 2D membranes is governed by vibrational entropy and mechanical coupling to surface dynamics.