Energy Bandgap and Edge States in an Epitaxially Grown Graphene/h-BN Heterostructure

Abstract

Securing a semiconducting bandgap is essential for applying graphene layers in switching devices. Theoretical studies have suggested a created bulk bandgap in a graphene layer by introducing an asymmetry between the A and B sub-lattice sites. A recent transport measurement demonstrated the presence of a bandgap in a graphene layer where the asymmetry was introduced by placing a graphene layer on a hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) substrate. Similar bandgap has been observed in graphene layers on metal substrates by local probe measurements; however, this phenomenon has not been observed in graphene layers on a near-insulating substrate. Here, we present bulk bandgap-like features in a graphene layer epitaxially grown on an h-BN substrate using scanning tunneling spectroscopy. We observed edge states at zigzag edges, edge resonances at armchair edges, and bandgap-like features in the bulk.

Microscopic insight into the single step growth of in-plane heterostructures between graphene and hexagonal boron nitride

“…When both materials are aligned with the Pt substrate, the interface runs along the zigzag direction (see Fig. 4a); this 2D epitaxial matching is that most commonly observed in the literature, and was found on other h-BN/graphene lateral heterostructures supported on Ir(111) [45], Cu(111) [46], Rh(111) [47]. In contrast, when graphene is rotated by 30° a commensurate interface can be observed, which entails the coupling of armchair graphene with zigzag h-BN edges.…”

Involvement of Long‐Lived Intermediate States in the Complex Folding Pathway of the Human Telomeric G‐Quadruplex

“…This study points out that the presence of partially unfolded regions might be an intrinsic property of human telomeric DNA and necessary to modulate the binding of telomere‐binding proteins, such as POT1 and telomerase enzyme, to the single‐stranded telomeric overhang. The elongation rate reported for human telomerase enzyme is 1 nt s −1 ;32 therefore, on a biological time scale kinetic and thermodynamic conformers are both present and coexist with partially unfolded regions. The human telomeric G‐quadruplex, with its diversity of structures, is a challenging target for medicinal chemistry, and the development of small molecules that act as selective stabilizers for the thermodynamic conformation might not be the most effective therapeutic strategy, given that the kinetically favored conformation is long‐lived, as shown herein.…”

2,6‐Difluorobenzamide Inhibitors of Bacterial Cell Division Protein FtsZ: Design, Synthesis, and Structure–Activity Relationships

“…Until now, no drugs on the market have targeted FtsZ; nevertheless, in the last 10 years, several research groups studied and developed FtsZ inhibitors, demonstrating that inhibition of this protein results in a bactericidal effect. The initially discovered FtsZ inhibitors came from natural products, which were further modified to increase their bactericidal activity; the best results were obtained with curcumin, coumarins, resveratrol, berberine, and cinnamaldehyde derivatives.…”