Toward Two-Dimensional All-Carbon Heterostructures via Ion Beam Patterning of Single-Layer Graphene
- Author(s)
- Jani Kotakoski, Christian Brand, Yigal Lilach, Ori Cheshnovsky, Clemens Mangler, Markus Arndt, Jannik C. Meyer
- Abstract
Graphene has many claims to fame: it is the thinnest possible membrane, it has unique electronic and excellent mechanical properties, and it provides the perfect model structure for studying materials science at the atomic level. However, for many practical studies and applications the ordered hexagon arrangement of carbon atoms in graphene is not directly suitable. Here, we show that the atoms can be locally either removed or rearranged into a random pattern of polygons using a focused ion beam (FIB). The atomic structure of the disordered regions is confirmed with atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy images. These structural modifications can be made on macroscopic scales with a spatial resolution determined only by the size of the ion beam. With just one processing step, three types of structures can be defined within a graphene layer: chemically inert graphene, chemically active amorphous 2D carbon, and empty areas. This, along with the changes in properties, gives promise that FIB patterning of graphene will open the way for creating all-carbon heterostructures to be used in fields ranging from nanoelectronics and chemical sensing to composite materials.
- Organisation(s)
- Physics of Nanostructured Materials, Quantum Optics, Quantum Nanophysics and Quantum Information
- External organisation(s)
- Tel Aviv University
- Journal
- Nano Letters: a journal dedicated to nanoscience and nanotechnology
- Volume
- 15
- Pages
- 5944-5949
- No. of pages
- 6
- ISSN
- 1530-6984
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b02063
- Publication date
- 09-2015
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 103018 Materials physics, 210004 Nanomaterials
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Condensed Matter Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, Chemistry(all), Materials Science(all)
- Portal url
- https://ucris.univie.ac.at/portal/en/publications/toward-twodimensional-allcarbon-heterostructures-via-ion-beam-patterning-of-singlelayer-graphene(7b52b959-8576-4fcc-81ee-4ff5a50888bc).html