Study of the interface between rhodium and carbon nanotubes.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at 3.5 keV photon energy, in combination with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, is used to follow the formation of the interface between rhodium and carbon nanotubes. Rh nucleates at defect sites, whether initially present or induced by oxygen-plasma treatment. More uniform Rh cluster dispersion is observed on plasma-treated CNTs. Experimental results are compared to DFT calculations of small Rh clusters on pristine and defective graphene. While Rh interacts as strongly with the carbon as Ti, it is less sensitive to the presence of oxygen, suggesting it as a good candidate for nanotube contacts.
Suarez-Martinez
Irene
I
IMN, Universite de Nantes, CNRS, 2 Rue de la Houssiniere, BP32229, 44322 Nantes, France.
Ewels
Christopher P
CP
Ke
Xiaoxing
X
Van Tendeloo
Gustaaf
G
Thiess
Sebastian
S
Drube
Wolfgang
W
Felten
Alexander
A
Pireaux
Jean-Jacques
JJ
Ghijsen
Jacques
J
Bittencourt
Carla
C