The structure and conductive behaviour of graphene was studied under breaking. We were able to break and reconnect graphene using the mechanical break junction and observed a change in conductive...Show moreThe structure and conductive behaviour of graphene was studied under breaking. We were able to break and reconnect graphene using the mechanical break junction and observed a change in conductive behaviour from ohmic to non-linear; a possible explanation for the effect was offered. SEM, AFM and Raman spectroscopy determined that no large structural damage was caused by the breaking, nor was a decrease in graphene quality towards the break edge observed up until 1 micron near the edge; graphene was established to be present to within at least 100 nm of the edge. Furthermore, a modified mechanical break junction design for a graphene nanojunction was tested and deemed complicated: it was advised to loosen the requirements for future experiments. Lastly, an approach to electrochemically etching a graphene nanojunction was tested and approached theoretically; it was deemed not feasible using current graphene transfer techniques.Show less
