A Review on Metal Nanoparticles Nucleation and Growth on/in Graphene

Abstract

In this review, the fundamental aspects (with particular focus to the microscopic thermodynamics and kinetics mechanisms) concerning the fabrication of graphene-metal nanoparticles composites are discussed. In particular, the attention is devoted to those fabrication methods involving vapor-phase depositions of metals on/in graphene-based materials. Graphene-metal nanoparticles composites are, nowadays, widely investigated both from a basic scientific and from several technological point of views. In fact, these graphene-based systems present wide-range tunable and functional electrical, optical, and mechanical properties which can be exploited for the design and production of innovative and high-efficiency devices. This research field is, so, a wide and multidisciplinary section in the nanotechnology field of study. So, this review aims to discuss, in a synthetic and systematic framework, the basic microscopic mechanisms and processes involved in metal nanoparticles formation on graphene sheets by physical vapor deposition methods and on their evolution by post-deposition processes. This is made by putting at the basis of the discussions some specific examples to draw insights on the common general physical and chemical properties and parameters involved in the synergistic interaction processes between graphene and metals.

Ultrathin Metal Crystals: Growth on Supported Graphene Surfaces and Applications

“…At thermodynamic equilibrium, nucleation is purely determined by the surface energy. The surface energy of CF graphene is lower than that of gold, [5] so that the heterogeneous nucleation was not energetically favored in our experiments. [15] Moreover, thermal evaporation process was not at thermodynamic equilibrium.…”

“…Recently, it has been demonstrated that graphene may serve as a template for epitaxial growth of organic and inorganic materials . Owing to its hybridized sp 2 bonding of carbon atoms in a hexagonal pattern over a large sheet, graphene can be an ideal template for crystal growth.…”

“…[3,4] In the light of these previous works, a 2D substrate such as graphene (GR) could be an ideal substrate to produce ultrathin metal films, since ideal graphene has neither defects nor kinks, that is, no nucleation center that would promote the growth of islands of metal atoms.Recently, it has been demonstrated that graphene may serve as a template for epitaxial growth of organic and inorganic materials. [5,6] Owing to its hybridized sp 2 bonding of carbon atoms in a hexagonal pattern over a large sheet, graphene can be an ideal template for crystal growth. However, nucleation on graphene surfaces has been controversial, presumably due to the transparency of graphene resulting from its extreme thinness.…”

“…Recently, it has been demonstrated that graphene may serve as a template for epitaxial growth of organic and inorganic materials. [5,6] Owing to its hybridized sp 2 bonding of carbon atoms in a hexagonal pattern over a large sheet, graphene can be an ideal template for crystal growth. However, nucleation on graphene surfaces has been controversial, presumably due to the transparency of graphene resulting from its extreme thinness.…”

Study of the influence of graphene sublayer on the morphology, optical and electrical properties of thin copper films.

“…Среди множества двумерных материалов наиболее подробно были исследованы структурные, химические, оптические и электрические свойства графена, показывающие перспективы его использования в различных приложениях [8,9,10]. Помимо этого, важно изучение графен-металлических интерфейсов, так как известно, что кинетика роста металлов на поверхности графена может существенно отличаться от кинетики роста на стандартных подложках, таких как SiO 2 , Si и стекло [11,12,13] Исследование выполнено при финансовой поддержке РФФИ в рамках научного проекта №18-37-00308\19 мол_а.…”