The mechanism of caesium intercalation of graphene

Petrović, Marin; Šrut Rakić, Iva; Runte, Sven; Busse, Carsten; Sadowski, Jerzy; Lazić, Predrag; Pletikosić, Ivo; Pan, Zhi-Hui; Milun, Milorad; Pervan, Petar; Atodiresei, Nicolae; Brako, Radovan; Šokčević, Damir; Valla, Tonica; Michely, Thomas; Kralj, Marko (2013) The mechanism of caesium intercalation of graphene. Nature Communications, 4 . pp. 2772-1. ISSN 2041-1723

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Abstract

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.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	graphene; epitaxial graphene; intercalation
Subjects:	NATURAL SCIENCES > Physics
Divisions:	Theoretical Physics Division
Projects:	Project title Project leader Project code Project type Površine i nanostrukture: Teorijski pristupi i numerički proračuni [5180] Radovan Brako 098-0352828-2863 MZOS
Depositing User:	Predrag Lazić
Date Deposited:	14 Jan 2014 13:44
URI:	http://fulir.irb.hr/id/eprint/1274
DOI:	10.1038/ncomms3772

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