Controlling hydrogenation of graphene on Ir(111).

Balog, Richard; Andersen, Mie; Jørgensen, Bjarke; Sljivancanin, Zeljko; Hammer, Bjørk; Baraldi, Alessandro; Larciprete, Rosanna; Hofmann, Philip et al. · ACS Nano · 2013

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Combined fast X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations reveal the presence of two types of hydrogen adsorbate structures at the graphene/Ir(111) interface, namely, graphane-like islands and hydrogen dimer structures. While the former give rise to a periodic pattern, dimers tend to destroy the periodicity. Our data reveal distinctive growth rates and stability of both types of structures, thereby allowing one to obtain well-defined patterns of hydrogen clusters. The ability to control and manipulate the formation and size of hydrogen structures on graphene facilitates tailoring of its properties for a wide range of applications by means of covalent functionalization.