Monolayer SixCy constitutes an important family of 2D materials that is predicted to feature a honeycomb structure and appreciable bandgaps. However, due to its binary chemical nature and the lack of bulk polymorphs with a layered structure, the fabrication of such materials has so far been challenging. Here, the synthesis of atomic monolayer Si9C15 on Ru (0001) and Rh(111) substrates is reported. A combination of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations is used to infer that the 2D lattice of Si9C15 is a buckled honeycomb structure. Monolayer Si9C15 shows semiconducting behavior with a bandgap of ≈1.9 eV. Remarkably, the Si9C15 lattice remains intact after exposure to ambient conditions, indicating good air stability. The present work expands the 2D‐materials library and provides a promising platform for future studies in nanoelectronics and nanophotonics.
Two-dimensional (2D) materials with defects are desired for catalysis after the adsorption of monodispersed noble metal atoms. High-performance catalysts with the absolute value of Gibbs free energy (|ΔG H |) close to zero, is one of the ultimate goals in the catalytic field. Here, we report the formation of monolayer titanium selenide (TiSe 2 ) with line defects. The low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/S) measurements revealed the structure and electronic states of the line defect. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation results confirmed that the line defects were induced by selenium vacancies and the STM simulation was in good agreement with the experimental results. Further, DFT calculations show that monolayer TiSe 2 with line defects have good catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). If the defects are decorated with single Pt atom, the HER catalytic activity will be enhanced dramatically (|ΔG H | = 0.006 eV), which is much better than Pt metal (|ΔG H | = 0.09 eV). Line defects in monolayer TiSe 2 /Au(111) provide a wonderful platform for the design of high-performance catalysts.
A low-temperature (LT) ultra-high vacuum (UHV) scanning probe microscopy (SPM) system with molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) capability and optical access was conceived, built, and tested in our lab. The design of the whole system is discussed here, with special emphasis on some critical parts. We made an SPM scanner head with a modified Pan-type design, enclosed by a double-layer cold room under a bath type cryostat. The scanner head is very rigid, compatible with optical access paths, and can accommodate both scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tips and atomic force sensors. Two piezo-actuated focus-lens stages are mounted on the two sides of the cold room to couple light in and out. To demonstrate the system's performance, we performed STM and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) studies. The herringbone reconstruction and atomic structure of Au(111) surface were clearly resolved. The dI/dV spectra of an Au(111) surface were obtained at 5 K. In addition, a periodic 2D tellurium (Te) structure was grown on Au(111) surface using MBE.
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