Molecular dynamics simulations of ballistic penetration of penta-graphene sheets

The search for new materials with low density and superior mechanical properties is a very intense and stimulating investigation area. These new materials could provide potential application for ballistic protection. Recent experiments and simulations revealed graphene possesses exceptional energy absorption properties. In this work, we analysed through fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations the ballistic performance of a carbon-based material recently proposed named penta-graphene. Our results show that the fracture pattern is more spherical (no petals formation like observed for graphene). The estimated penetration energy for single-layer penta-graphene structures obtained here was d1penta ∼ 37.7 MJ/kg, and is comparable with recently results obtained for graphene: d1graphene ∼ 29.0 MJ/kg and d1graphene ∼ 40.8 MJ/kg under similar conditions. These preliminary results are suggestive that penta-graphene could be an excellent material for ballistic applications.