Self-organized platinum nanoparticles on freestanding graphene.
Freestanding graphene membranes were successfully functionalized with platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed a homogeneous distribution of single-crystal Pt NPs that tend to exhibit a preferred orientation. Unexpectedly, the NPs were also found to be partially exposed to the vacuum with the top Pt surface raised above the graphene substrate, as deduced from atomic-scale scanning tunneling microscopy images and detailed molecular dynamics simulations. Local strain accumulation during the growth process is thought to be the origin of the NP self-organization. These findings are expected to shape future approaches in developing Pt NP catalysts for fuel cells as well as NP-functionalized graphene-based high-performance electronics.
Department of Physics, University of Arkansas , Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, United States.
Peng
P
Xu
Lifeng
L
Dong
Mehdi
M
Neek-Amal
Matthew L
ML
Ackerman
Jianhua
J
Yu
Steven D
SD
Barber
James Kevin
JK
Schoelz
Dejun
D
Qi
Fangfang
F
Xu
Paul M
PM
Thibado
Francois M
FM
Peeters