In Situ Room Temperature Electron-Beam Driven Graphene Growth from Hydrocarbon Contamination in a Transmission Electron Microscope

Rümmeli, Mark H.; Pan, Yumo; Zhao, Liang; Gao, Jing; Ta, Huy Q.; Martinez, Ignacio Guillermo Gonzalez; Mendes, Rafael G.; Gemming, Thomas; Fu, Lei; Bachmatiuk, Alicja; Liu, Zhongfan

doi:10.3390/ma11060896

Cited by 14 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 47 publications

(50 reference statements)

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“…Carbon feedstock supply and graphene growth. Our experiments, especially the successful synthesis of graphene using carbon-free grids (SiO X , membranes), suggest that the main source of carbon necessary for the growth of the as-produced graphene flakes comes from hydrocarbon contamination inside the TEM column or primarily from species adsorbed on the specimen/TEM grid 23 . Adsorbed molecules desorb under electron beam irradiation and form a gaseous cloud around the irradiated area 24,25 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Rapid synthesis of pristine graphene inside a transmission electron microscope using gold as catalyst

et al. 2019

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Multiple methods with distinctive strengths and drawbacks have been devised so far to produce graphene. However, they all need post-synthesis transfer steps to characterize the product. Here we report the synthesis of pristine graphene inside the transmission electron microscope using gold as catalyst and self-removing substrate without employing a specialized specimen holder. The process occurs at room temperature and takes place within milliseconds. The method offers the possibility of precise spatial control for graphene production and immediate characterization. Briefly, the irradiating electrons generate secondary electrons leading to surface charging if the gold particles reside on a poorly conducting support. At a critical charge density, the particle ejects ions mixed with secondary electrons (plasma) causing the particle to shrink. Simultaneously, hydrocarbon contamination within the electron microscope is cracked, thus providing carbon for the growth of graphene on the particle's surface. The Technique is potentially attractive for the manufacture of in situ graphene-based devices.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Rapid synthesis of pristine graphene inside a transmission electron microscope using gold as catalyst

et al. 2019

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“…[15,16,18] In all these cases, the C source for the growth is from hydrocarbon contaminants in the TEM chamber. [30] We also observed cases where etching of the graphene edge occurred as a single Sn atom (monomer) diffused along the edge. An example is presented in Figure 3, which shows HRTEM images of the process (Figure 3a-c), HRTEM images with partial ball models to aid viewing (Figure 3d-f ), image simulations (Figure 3g-i)) and stick and ball models of the catalytic etching activity.…”

Section: Monomer Activitymentioning

confidence: 78%

“…[ 15,16,18 ] In all these cases, the C source for the growth is from hydrocarbon contaminants in the TEM chamber. [ 30 ]…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Catalytic Activity of Sn Monomers and Dimers at Graphene Edges and the Synchronized Edge Dependence of Diffusing Atoms in Sn Dimers

Yang

et al. 2021

Adv Funct Materials

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In this study, in situ transmission electron microscopy is performed to study the interaction between single (monomer) and paired (dimer) Sn atoms at graphene edges. The results reveal that a single Sn atom can catalyze both the growth and etching of graphene by the addition and removal of C atoms respectively. Additionally, the frequencies of the energetically favorable configurations of an Sn atom at a graphene edge, calculated using density functional theory calculations, are compared with experimental observations and are found to be in good agreement. The remarkable dynamic processes of binary atoms (dimers) are also investigated and is the first such study to the best of the knowledge. Dimer diffusion along the graphene edges depends on the graphene edge termination. Atom pairs (dimers) involving an armchair configuration tend to diffuse with a synchronized shuffling (step-wise shift) action, while dimer diffusion at zigzag edge terminations show a strong propensity to collapse the dimer with each atom diffusing in opposite directions (monomer formation). Moreover, the data reveals the role of C feedstock availability on the choice a single Sn atom makes in terms of graphene growth or etching. This study advances the understanding single atom catalytic activity at graphene edges.

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“…5) As a unique material to lead research toward creating and studying hybrid interfaces with other materials or specimens [ 49 ] with the use of electron beams, by exploiting the presence of dangling bonds from carbon residues on the surface. [ 50 ]…”

Section: Graphene—excellent Properties As a Tem Substratementioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Progress in Using Graphene as an Ultrathin Transparent Support for Transmission Electron Microscopy

Sinha

Warner

2021

Small Structures

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Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has long been used as the ultimate characterization technique for nanomaterials at the atomic level. Herein, the importance of the use of graphene in TEM is also presented to introduce the properties that make it indispensable for the characterization of other nanomaterials and study their properties and van der Waals interactions. A broad overview of the importance of using TEM for the study of nanomaterials and the rise of graphene as a superior substrate for the study of different kinds of low‐dimensional materials is provided. A review of the study of morphology, properties, and behavior of a range of nanomaterials is presented, with a specific focus on how graphene facilitates these studies due to its unique influence and interaction with the specific materials under TEM. This review presents an overview of the various studies and characterization that have been carried out on a range of nanomaterials using TEM with the use of graphene, and discusses the future challenges and engineering applications.

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In Situ Room Temperature Electron-Beam Driven Graphene Growth from Hydrocarbon Contamination in a Transmission Electron Microscope

Cited by 14 publications

References 47 publications

Rapid synthesis of pristine graphene inside a transmission electron microscope using gold as catalyst

Rapid synthesis of pristine graphene inside a transmission electron microscope using gold as catalyst

On the Catalytic Activity of Sn Monomers and Dimers at Graphene Edges and the Synchronized Edge Dependence of Diffusing Atoms in Sn Dimers

Recent Progress in Using Graphene as an Ultrathin Transparent Support for Transmission Electron Microscopy

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