Unconventional Atomic Structure of Graphene Sheets on Solid Substrates. Issue 42 (30th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Jinjin; Yang, Yizhou; Yang, Shuo; Song, Jie; Wang, Ying; Liu, Xiaoguo; Yang, Qingqing; Shen, Yue; Wang, Shuo; Yang, Haijun; Lü, Junhong; Li, Bin; Fang, Haiping; Lal, Ratnesh; Czajkowsky, Daniel M.; Hu, Jun; Shi, Guosheng; Zhang, Yi
• Is Part Of: Small. Volume 15:Issue 42(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-08-30
• Subjects: atomic force microscopy (AFM) -- first principles computations -- graphene -- peptide self‐assembly -- unconventional atomic structures; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanoparticles -- Periodicals; Microtechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.201902637
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1613-6810

Abstract

Abstract: The atomic structure of free‐standing graphene comprises flat hexagonal rings with a 2.5 Å period, which is conventionally considered the only atomic period and determines the unique properties of graphene. Here, an unexpected highly ordered orthorhombic structure of graphene is directly observed with a lattice constant of ≈5 Å, spontaneously formed on various substrates. First‐principles computations show that this unconventional structure can be attributed to the dipole between the graphene surface and substrates, which produces an interfacial electric field and induces atomic rearrangement on the graphene surface. Further, the formation of the orthorhombic structure can be controlled by an artificially generated interfacial electric field. Importantly, the 5 Å crystal can be manipulated and transformed in a continuous and reversible manner. Notably, the orthorhombic lattice can control the epitaxial self‐assembly of amyloids. The findings reveal new insights about the atomic structure of graphene, and open up new avenues to manipulate graphene lattices. Abstract : A novel orthorhombic crystal of graphene with 5 Å period formed on various substrates is revealed and applied to control the epitaxial self‐assembly of amyloids. First‐principles computations show that this atomic structure can be attributed to dipoles between the graphene surface and substrates. A locally generated interfacial electric field is used for the controllable formation of the atomic structure.