One Second Formation of Large Area Graphene on a Conical Tip Surface via Direct Transformation of Surface Carbide. Issue 29 (25th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ge, Yifei; Xu, Lele; Lu, Xing; Xu, Jianxun; Liang, Jianbo; Zhao, Yuliang
• Is Part Of: Small. Volume 14:Issue 29(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-06-25
• Subjects: functionalized nanotip -- graphene -- ultrafast growth; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanoparticles -- Periodicals; Microtechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.201801288
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1613-6810

Abstract

Abstract: Graphene functionalized nanotips are expected to possess promising potential for various applications based on the outstanding electrical and mechanical properties of graphene. However, current methods, usually requiring a high growth temperature and identical crystal surface to match graphene lattice, are suitable for graphene formation on a flat surface. It remains a big challenge to grow graphene on a nanosized convex surface and fabricate functionalized nanotips with high quality graphene at the apex. In this work, a novel ultrafast annealing method is developed for growing large area graphene on Ni nanotips within 1–2 s. Few layered or multiple layered graphene is presented on the apex or sidewall of the conical tip surface. Direct experimental evidences support that thus‐produced graphene is formed via the direct conversion of nickel carbide at the outer surface under the instantaneous high temperature, which is different from the conventional segregation mechanism. This newly developed ultrafast method provides a new route to produce graphene efficiently and economically, promising for both convex surfaces and flat substrates. Moreover, the graphene functionalized nanotips exhibit a great potential for nanoelectrical measurements and conductive scanning probe microscopy (SPM) applications. Abstract : Graphene layers grow on conical tip surfaces within 1∼2 seconds by a newly developed ultrafast annealing method. The graphene are formed instantaneously via the direct conversion of surface nickel carbide at high temperature. The graphene functional nanotips have the potential for use in nano‐electrical measurements and scanning probe microscopy (SPM) applications.