Attraction between topological defects in graphene

The interaction of Stone-Wales topological defects in graphene has been studied through computer simulation. This simulation has revealed configurations of two defects with energies below the energy of a monolayer with two spaced defects. This indicates the attraction between defects and the possibility of the formation of their clusters. The attraction is due to the interference between defect-induced wavy distortions of the structure of the monolayer. In this case, the amplitude of transverse displacement of atoms near a pair of defects reaches 2-3 angstroms. Such a strong deformation of graphene by Stone-Wales defects can be one of the reasons for its experimentally observed "crumpled" texture.