Controlling selective nucleation and growth of dysprosium islands on graphene by metal intercalation
- Ames Lab., and Iowa State University, Ames, IA (United States)
We report metal intercalation is an effective method to modify the physical and chemical properties of low-dimensional systems such as epitaxial graphene. Here, we show that the nucleation and growth of metal nanostructures on epitaxial graphene on SiC(0001) can be dramatically changed by metal intercalation. Using scanning tunneling microscopy experiments, we demonstrate that dysprosium (Dy) metal islands are selectively nucleated on the area with Dy intercalation under both graphene and carbon buffer layers, while the adjacent area with only buffer layer intercalated remains relatively bare. Using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory, we show that adsorption of Dy adatom on the preferred nucleation area is energetically more favorable than on other areas. Moreover, changes in the electronic structure and the interlayer spacing upon Dy intercalation obtained from our calculations are also consistent with experimental observations. Our results indicate that metal intercalation is a promising way to manipulate the interaction between graphene and deposited adatoms.
- Research Organization:
- Ames Laboratory (AMES), Ames, IA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Materials Sciences & Engineering Division
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC02-07CH11358
- OSTI ID:
- 1889449
- Report Number(s):
- IS-J-10,891
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review Materials, Journal Name: Physical Review Materials Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 6; ISSN 2475-9953
- Publisher:
- American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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