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Title: Adsorption of dysprosium on the graphite (0001) surface: Nucleation and growth at 300 K

Journal Article · · Journal of Chemical Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4953611· OSTI ID:1257367

We have studied nucleation and growth of Dy islands on the basal plane of graphite at 300 K using scanning tunneling microscopy, density functional theory (DFT) in a form that includes van der Waals interactions, and analytic theory. The interaction of atomic Dy with graphite is strong, while the diffusion barrier is small. Experiment shows that at 300 K, the density of nucleated islands is close to the value predicted for homogeneous nucleation, using critical nucleus size of 1 and the DFT-derived diffusion barrier. Homogeneous nucleation is also supported by the monomodal shape of the island size distributions. Comparison with the published island density of Dy on graphene shows that the value is about two orders of magnitude smaller on graphite, which can be attributed to more effective charge screening in graphite. The base of each island is 3 atomic layers high and atomically ordered, forming a coincidence lattice with the graphite. Islands resist coalescence, probably due to multiple rotational orientations associated with the coincidence lattice. Upper levels grow as discernible single-atom layers. Analysis of the level populations reveals significant downward interlayer transport, which facilitates growth of the base. As a result, this island shape is metastable, since more compact three-dimensional islands form at elevated growth temperature.

Research Organization:
Ames Lab., Ames, IA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
CHE-1111500; AC02-07CH11358
OSTI ID:
1257367
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1256781
Report Number(s):
IS-J-8894; JCPSA6
Journal Information:
Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol. 145, Issue 21; ISSN 0021-9606
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 8 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (2)

Spontaneous selective deposition of iron oxide nanoparticles on graphite as model catalysts journal January 2019
Dy adsorption and penetration on defected graphene by first-principles calculations journal February 2018