Article Title

An exchange intercalation mechanism for the formation of a two-dimensional Si structure underneath graphene

Authors

Yi Cui, State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
Junfeng Gao, Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion and Electron Beams (Dalian University of Technology), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116024, China
Li Jin, State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
Jijun Zhao, Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion and Electron Beams (Dalian University of Technology), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116024, China
Dali Tan, State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
Qiang Fu, State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
Xinhe Bao, State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China

Keywords

Graphene, photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM), low energy electron microscopy (LEEM), intercalation, silicon, Ru(0001)

Abstract

ABSTRACT A two-dimensional (2D) Si film can form between a graphene overlayer and a Ru(0001) substrate through an intercalation process. At the graphene/2D-Si/Ru(0001) surface, the topmost graphene layer is decoupled from the Ru substrate and becomes quasi-freestanding. The interfacial Si layers show high stability due to the protection from the graphene cover. Surface science measurements indicate that the surface Si atoms can penetrate through the graphene lattice, and density functional theory calculations suggest a Si–C exchange mechanism facilitates the penetration of Si at mild temperatures. The new mechanism may be involved for other elements on graphene, if they can bond strongly with carbon. This finding opens a new route to form 2D interfacial layers between graphene and substrates.

Graphical Abstract

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-012-0215-4

Publisher

Tsinghua University Press

Recommended Citation

Yi Cui,Junfeng Gao,Li Jin,Jijun Zhao,Dali Tan,Qiang Fu,Xinhe Bao, An exchange intercalation mechanism for the formation of a two-dimensional Si structure underneath graphene. NanoRes.2012, 5(5): 352–360