Twisted Bilayer Graphene Induced by Intercalation.

Li, Bixuan; Wei, Juntian; Jin, Chunqiao; Si, Kunpeng; Meng, Lingjia; Wang, Xingguo; Jia, Yangyu; He, Qianqian et al. · Nano Lett · 2023

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Twisted bilayer graphene (tBLG) has gained significant attention due to its unique physical and electronic properties. However, efficient fabrication of high-quality tBLG with diverse twist angles is crucial to expedite research on angle-dependent physics and potential applications. In this study, an intercalation strategy utilizing organic molecules, such as 1,2-dichloroethane, is developed to weaken the interlayer interaction and induce slide or rotation of the topmost graphene layer for tBLG fabrication. The proportion of tBLGs in the resulting 1,2-dichloroethane-treated BLG (<i>dt</i>BLG) reaches up to 84.4% for twist angles ranging from 0° to 30°, surpassing previously reported methods using chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Moreover, the twist angle distribution is not uniform and tends to concentrate in the ranges of 0-10° and 20-30°. This facile and rapid intercalation-based methodology provides a practical solution for studying angle-dependent physics and advancing the utilization of twisted two-dimensional materials.