Growth of dome-shaped carbon nanoislands on Ir(111): the intermediate between carbidic clusters and quasi-free-standing graphene.
By combining high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy and ab initio calculations, we show that carbon nanoislands formed during the growth of a long-range ordered graphene layer on Ir(111) assume a peculiar domelike shape. The understanding of the unusual growth mechanism of these C clusters, which represent an intermediate phase between the strongly coupled carbidic carbon and a quasi-free-standing graphene layer, can provide information for a rational design of graphenelike systems at the nanoscale.
Lacovig
Paolo
P
Sincrotrone Trieste, Strada Statale 14 Km 163.5, 34012 Trieste, Italy.
Pozzo
Monica
M
Alfè
Dario
D
Vilmercati
Paolo
P
Baraldi
Alessandro
A
Lizzit
Silvano
S