Characterization of nanoblisters on HOPG surface

Abstract

We report on influence of the surface functionalization on the properties of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. The samples were processed in nitric acid and characterized by XPS, Raman and EDX spectroscopies, AFM, SEM and optical microscopy. It is shown that interaction of nitric acid with the surface of HOPG leads to two types of reactions: oxidation of the graphite and intercalation of the nitrate ions at the blistered areas.