Properties of many layered materials, including copper-and iron-based superconductors, topological insulators, graphite and epitaxial graphene, can be manipulated by the inclusion of different atomic and molecular species between the layers via a process known as intercalation. For example, intercalation in graphite can lead to superconductivity and is crucial in the working cycle of modern batteries and supercapacitors. Intercalation involves complex diffusion processes along and across the layers; however, the microscopic mechanisms and dynamics of these processes are not well understood. Here we report on a novel mechanism for intercalation and entrapment of alkali atoms under epitaxial graphene. We find that the intercalation is adjusted by the van der Waals interaction, with the dynamics governed by defects anchored to graphene wrinkles. Our findings are relevant for the future design and application of graphene-based nano-structures. Similar mechanisms can also have a role for intercalation of layered materials.
We have theoretically studied the stability and reconstruction of ͑111͒ surfaces of Au, Pt, and Cu. We have calculated the surface energy, surface stress, interatomic force constants, and other relevant quantities by ab initio electronic structure calculations using the density functional theory in a slab geometry with periodic boundary conditions. We have estimated the stability towards a quasi-one-dimensional reconstruction by using the calculated quantities as parameters in a one-dimensional Frenkel-Kontorova model. On all surfaces we have found an intrinsic tensile stress. This stress is large enough on Au and Pt surfaces to lead to a reconstruction in which a denser surface layer is formed, in agreement with experiment. The experimentally observed differences between the dense reconstruction pattern on Au͑111͒ and a sparse structure of stripes on Pt͑111͒ are attributed to the details of the interaction potential between the first layer of atoms and the substrate.
We have performed combined angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the electronic structure of the Ir(111) surface, with the focus on the existence of energy band gaps. The investigation was motivated by the experimental results suggesting Ir(111) as an ideal support for the growth of weakly bonded graphene. Therefore, our prime interest was electronic structure around the [Formula: see text] symmetry point. In accordance with DFT calculations, ARPES has shown a wide energy band gap with the shape of a parallelogram centred around the [Formula: see text] point. Within the gap three surface states were identified; one just below the Fermi level and two spin-orbit split surface states at the bottom of the gap.
We calculate the properties of a graphene monolayer on the Ir(111) surface, using the model in which the periodicities of the two structures are assumed equal, instead of the observed slight mismatch which leads to a large superperiodic unit cell. We use the Density Functional Theory approach supplemented by the recently developed vdW-DF nonlocal correlation functional. The latter is essential for treating the van der Waals interaction, which is crucial for the adsorption distances and energies of the rather weakly bound graphene. When additional iridium atoms are put on top of graphene, the electronic structure of C atoms acquires the sp 3 character and strong bonds with the iridium atoms are formed. We discuss the validity of the approximations used, and the relevance for other graphene-metal systems.
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