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Småbråten D, Nylund IE, Marshall K, Walker J, Benelmekki M, Einarsrud MA, Kioseoglou J, Selbach SM. Electronic Structure and Surface Chemistry of Hexagonal Boron Nitride on HOPG and Nickel Substrates. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:24813-24830. [PMID: 37483195 PMCID: PMC10357548 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c00562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
The effect of point defects and interactions with the substrate are shown by density functional theory calculations to be of significant importance for the structure and functional properties of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) films on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and Ni(111) substrates. The structure, surface chemistry, and electronic properties are calculated for h-BN systems with selected intrinsic, oxygen, and carbon defects and with graphene hybrid structures. The electronic structure of a pristine monolayer of h-BN is dependent on the type of substrate, as h-BN is decoupled electronically from the HOPG surface and acts as bulk-like h-BN, whereas on a Ni(111) substrate, metallic-like behavior is predicted. These different film/substrate systems therefore show different reactivities and defect chemistries. The formation energies for substitutional defects are significantly lower than for intrinsic defects regardless of the substrate, and vacancies formed during film deposition are expected to be filled by either ambient oxygen or carbon from impurities. Significantly lower formation energies for intrinsic and oxygen and carbon substitutional defects were predicted for h-BN on Ni(111). In-plane h-BCN hybrid structures were predicted to be terminated by N-C bonding. Substitutional carbon on the boron site imposes n-type semiconductivity in h-BN, and the n-type character increases significantly for h-BN on HOPG. The h-BN film surface becomes electronically decoupled from the substrate when exceeding monolayer thickness, showing that the surface electronic properties and point defect chemistry for multilayer h-BN films should be comparable to those of a freestanding h-BN layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didrik
René Småbråten
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, NTNU
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
- Department
of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Inger-Emma Nylund
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, NTNU
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kenneth Marshall
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, NTNU
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Julian Walker
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, NTNU
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Maria Benelmekki
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, NTNU
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Mari-Ann Einarsrud
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, NTNU
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Joseph Kioseoglou
- Department
of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Sverre M. Selbach
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, NTNU
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
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Waleska NJ, Düll F, Bachmann P, Hemauer F, Steinhauer J, Papp C. Reactivity and Passivation of Fe Nanoclusters on h-BN/Rh(111). Chemistry 2021; 27:17087-17093. [PMID: 34342077 PMCID: PMC9290904 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202102590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The reactivity of iron nanocluster arrays on h-BN/Rh(111) was studied using in situ high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The morphology and reactivity of the iron nanoclusters (Fe-NCs) were investigated by CO adsorption. On-top and hollow/edge sites were determined to be the available adsorption sites on the as-prepared Fe-NCs and CO dissociation was observed at 300 K. C- and O-precovered Fe-NCs showed no catalytic activity towards CO dissociation because the hollow/edge sites were blocked by the C and O atoms. Therefore, these adsorption sites were identified to be the most active sites of the Fe-NCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie J. Waleska
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie IIUniversität Erlangen-NürnbergEgerlandstr. 391058ErlangenGermany
| | - Fabian Düll
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie IIUniversität Erlangen-NürnbergEgerlandstr. 391058ErlangenGermany
| | - Philipp Bachmann
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie IIUniversität Erlangen-NürnbergEgerlandstr. 391058ErlangenGermany
| | - Felix Hemauer
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie IIUniversität Erlangen-NürnbergEgerlandstr. 391058ErlangenGermany
| | - Johann Steinhauer
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie IIUniversität Erlangen-NürnbergEgerlandstr. 391058ErlangenGermany
| | - Christian Papp
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie IIUniversität Erlangen-NürnbergEgerlandstr. 391058ErlangenGermany
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Will M, Bampoulis P, Hartl T, Valerius P, Michely T. Conformal Embedding of Cluster Superlattices with Carbon. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:40524-40532. [PMID: 31588723 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b14616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Iridium cluster superlattices on the graphene moiré with Ir(111) are embedded with elemental carbon through vapor-phase deposition. Using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy, we find that carbon embedding is conformal and does not deteriorate the excellent order of the iridium clusters. The thermal and mechanical stability of the embedded clusters is greatly enhanced. Smoluchowski ripening as well as cluster pick-up by the scanning tunneling microscopy tip are both suppressed. The only cluster decay path left takes place at an elevated temperature of around 1050 K. The cluster material penetrates through the graphene sheet, whereby it becomes bound to the underlying metal. It is argued that conformal carbon embedding is an important step towards the formation of a new type of sintering-resistant cluster lattice material for nanocatalysis and nanomagnetism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Will
- II. Physikalisches Institut , Universität zu Köln , Cologne D-50937 , Germany
| | - Pantelis Bampoulis
- II. Physikalisches Institut , Universität zu Köln , Cologne D-50937 , Germany
| | - Tobias Hartl
- II. Physikalisches Institut , Universität zu Köln , Cologne D-50937 , Germany
| | - Philipp Valerius
- II. Physikalisches Institut , Universität zu Köln , Cologne D-50937 , Germany
| | - Thomas Michely
- II. Physikalisches Institut , Universität zu Köln , Cologne D-50937 , Germany
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Düll F, Meusel M, Späth F, Schötz S, Bauer U, Bachmann P, Steinhauer J, Steinrück HP, Bayer A, Papp C. Growth and stability of Pt nanoclusters from 1 to 50 atoms on h-BN/Rh(111). Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:21287-21295. [PMID: 31549113 DOI: 10.1039/c9cp04095a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The h-BN nanomesh on Rh(111) is used as eggbox-like template for the formation of arrays of Pt nanoclusters with a narrow size distribution. Nanoclusters with sizes from 1 up to 50 atoms are prepared simultaneously in a wedge-like structure by depositing a coverage gradient on the h-BN nanomesh, and thus can be investigated under identical conditions. We studied the preparation and properties of these Pt nanoclusters of different size in situ by high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy. For a Pt coverage of 0.1 ML, all pores of the h-BN nanomesh are filled with nanoclusters with a remarkably uniform cluster size of ≈12 Pt atoms per pore, and high stability up to 400 K. Above 0.2 ML Pt, the clusters are less stable. The coverage dependent analysis shows that for Pt coverages below 0.1 ML, the number of nanoclusters is smaller - and the number of empty pores higher - than expected for a simple hit and stick mechanism. We assign this behavior to an initially higher mobility of the Pt atoms in a hot precursor state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Düll
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstr. 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Manuel Meusel
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstr. 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Florian Späth
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstr. 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Simon Schötz
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstr. 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Udo Bauer
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstr. 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Philipp Bachmann
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstr. 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Johann Steinhauer
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstr. 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Hans-Peter Steinrück
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstr. 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Andreas Bayer
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstr. 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Christian Papp
- Lehrstuhl für Physikalische Chemie II, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstr. 3, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
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Martínez-Galera AJ, Gómez-Rodríguez JM. Pseudo-ordered distribution of Ir nanocrystals on h-BN. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:2317-2325. [PMID: 30662984 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr08928k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A 2D material consisting of a pseudo-ordered distribution of Ir nanocrystals supported on a h-BN/Rh(111) surface is presented here. The particular spatial distribution of the Ir nanoparticles is achieved thanks to the existence of a large variety of adsorption positions within the pores of the h-BN/Rh(111) nanomesh template with hexagonal symmetry. The resulting deviations of nanoparticle positions with respect to a perfect hexagonal lattice, which make this material of special interest in the field of optics, can be tuned by the temperature and the amount of Ir. Upon annealing, this material undergoes slight structural changes in the temperature range of 370-570 K and much more drastic ones, due to cluster coalescence, between 670 and 770 K. This relatively high onset of coalescence is encouraging for using this 2D material as a catalyst for reactions such as the oxidation of carbon monoxide or of nitrogen monoxide, which are especially relevant in the field of environmental science. Finally, metal nanostructures exhibiting regular geometries have been created from this material using a scanning tunneling microscope tip. Because of the insulating character of h-BN, these nanostructures could be very promising to use in the design of conductive nanotracks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio J Martínez-Galera
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
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Will M, Atodiresei N, Caciuc V, Valerius P, Herbig C, Michely T. A Monolayer of Hexagonal Boron Nitride on Ir(111) as a Template for Cluster Superlattices. ACS NANO 2018; 12:6871-6880. [PMID: 29920200 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b02127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The moiré of a monolayer of hexagonal boron nitride on Ir(111) is found to be a template for Ir, C, and Au cluster superlattices. Using scanning tunneling microscopy, the cluster structure and epitaxial relation to the substrate, the cluster binding site, the role of defects, as well as the thermal stability of the cluster lattice are investigated. The Ir and C cluster superlattices display a high thermal stability, before they decay by intercalation and Smoluchowski ripening. Ab initio calculations explain the extraordinarily strong Ir cluster binding through selective sp3 rehybridization of boron nitride involving B-Ir cluster bonds and a strengthening of the nitrogen bonds to the Ir substrate in a specific, initially only chemisorbed valley area within the moiré.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Will
- II. Physikalisches Institut , Universität zu Köln , Cologne D-50937 , Germany
| | - Nicolae Atodiresei
- Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-1) and Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-1) , Forschungszentrum Jülich and JARA , Jülich D-52425 , Germany
| | - Vasile Caciuc
- Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-1) and Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-1) , Forschungszentrum Jülich and JARA , Jülich D-52425 , Germany
| | - Philipp Valerius
- II. Physikalisches Institut , Universität zu Köln , Cologne D-50937 , Germany
| | - Charlotte Herbig
- II. Physikalisches Institut , Universität zu Köln , Cologne D-50937 , Germany
| | - Thomas Michely
- II. Physikalisches Institut , Universität zu Köln , Cologne D-50937 , Germany
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