  We use classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the
mechanical properties of pre-cracked, nano-porous single layer MoS2 (SLMoS2)
and the effect of interactions between cracks and pores. We found that the
failure of pre-cracked and nano-porous SLMoS2 is dominated by brittle type
fracture. Bonds in armchair direction show a stronger resistance to crack
propagation compared to the zigzag direction. We compared the brittle failure
of Griffith prediction with the MD fracture strength and toughness and found
substantial differences that limit the applicability of Griffith criterion for
SLMoS2 in case of nano-cracks and pores. Next, we demonstrate that the
mechanical properties of pre-cracked SLMoS2 can be enhanced via symmetrically
placed pores and auxiliary cracks around a central crack and position of such
arrangements can be optimized for maximum enhancement of strengths. Such a
study would help towards strain engineering based advanced designing of SLMoS2
and other similar Transition Metal Dichalcogenides.
