A new polymer with C4H stoichiometry based on graphene is synthesized in situ using template‐induced polymerization of self‐organizing hydrogen adsorbates on graphene. The polymerization is observed “live” on the surface of graphene by photoemission spectroscopy. Photoemission spectroscopy allows for an accurate determination of the carbon/hydrogen stoichiometry, an aspect that is extremely important for understanding functionalized graphene.

The use of SiO(2) as a catalyst for graphitic nanostructures, such as carbon nanotubes and graphene, is a new and rapidly developing catalyst system. A key question is whether carbide phases form in the reaction. We show the formation of SiC from SiO(2) nanoparticles for the synthesis of graphitic carbon nanostructures via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at 900 degrees C. Our findings point to the carbothermal reduction of SiO(2) in the CVD reaction. The inclusion of triethyl borate apparently accelerates the process and leads to improved yields. The study helps better understand the growth mechanisms at play in carbon nanotube and carbon nanofiber formation when using SiO(2) catalysts.

Recently, a new organic superconductor, K-intercalated Picene with high transition temperatures T c (up to 18 K) has been discovered. We have investigated the electronic properties of the undoped relative, solid picene, using a combination of experimental and theoretical methods. Our results provide detailed insight into the occuopied and unoccupied electronic states.

This Letter was published online on 4 December 2008 with a production error in the text of the abstract. The last sentence of the abstract should read as ''. . .unconventional superconducting pairings.'' The Letter has been corrected as of 5 December 2008. The text is correct in the printed version of the journal.

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