Nanopore graphene-tungsten composite with enhanced irradiated helium atoms storage capacity

Improving the storage capacity of helium atoms in irradiation-resistant materials is a problem worthy of research. In the present study, the helium atoms storage capacity of nanopore graphene/tungsten composites were evaluated via molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The simulation results indicate helium atoms could be effectively absorbed in the nanopore due to the significantly reduced helium formation energy. The absorption behavior of helium atoms by graphene nanopores was shown to be a way to relieve stress concentration, and delay the formation of large-sized helium bubbles, which can alleviate the irradiation embrittlement.