Scanning probe microscopy of adsorbed molecules on boron nitride and graphene monolayers

In this thesis, a study of a range of functional surfaces formed in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions using primarily scanning probe microscopy is presented. The construction of a combined scanning tunnelling and atomic force microscope, and the experiments performed using this instrument, are also...

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Main Author: Pollard, Andrew J.
Format: Thesis (University of Nottingham only)
Language:English
Published: 2010
Online Access:http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/12121/
http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/12121/1/Pollard_eThesis.pdf
id nottingham-12121
recordtype eprints
spelling nottingham-121212017-12-16T06:47:14Z http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/12121/ Scanning probe microscopy of adsorbed molecules on boron nitride and graphene monolayers Pollard, Andrew J. In this thesis, a study of a range of functional surfaces formed in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions using primarily scanning probe microscopy is presented. The construction of a combined scanning tunnelling and atomic force microscope, and the experiments performed using this instrument, are also detailed. Boron nitride and graphene monolayers were formed on rhodium thin films in UHV and investigated with in-situ and ex-situ (ambient conditions) scanning tunnelling microscopy. Simultaneous scanning tunnelling and atomic force microscopy images were also produced for the graphene monolayers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and diffraction results for graphene monolayers on Rh(111) surfaces, as well as low energy electron diffraction data, are also included. The novel formation of monolayer and few-layer graphene on nickel thin films is also described. Graphene layers were detached from these nickel thin films and isolated on other substrates. The results of characterisation experiments using scanning probe microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy techniques are detailed. Graphene layers with approximately 75% monolayer graphene coverage and an increased electronic quality, when compared to many other methods of graphene production, were revealed. Different organic molecules were adsorbed on both the boron nitride and graphene monolayers formed on rhodium thin films in UHV conditions. Perylene tetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI) and di(propylthio)-PTCDI molecules were investigated on these surfaces and compared with the adsorption of PTCDI on a graphite surface. Furthermore, dibutyl-coronene tetra-carboxylic diimide was deposited on the graphene (on rhodium) surface, in UHV. Although the boron nitride and graphene surfaces were similar, it was discovered that very contrasting molecular formations were formed on the dierent surfaces. The positioning of these nanostructures was determined by the Moire superstructure formed due to the mismatch between the monolayers and the Rh(111) surface. Additionally, different hydrogen-bonded molecular junctions were formed depending on the length of the side chains of the adsorbed organic molecules. 2010-12 Thesis (University of Nottingham only) NonPeerReviewed application/pdf en http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/12121/1/Pollard_eThesis.pdf Pollard, Andrew J. (2010) Scanning probe microscopy of adsorbed molecules on boron nitride and graphene monolayers. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.
repository_type Digital Repository
institution_category Local University
institution University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
language English
description In this thesis, a study of a range of functional surfaces formed in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions using primarily scanning probe microscopy is presented. The construction of a combined scanning tunnelling and atomic force microscope, and the experiments performed using this instrument, are also detailed. Boron nitride and graphene monolayers were formed on rhodium thin films in UHV and investigated with in-situ and ex-situ (ambient conditions) scanning tunnelling microscopy. Simultaneous scanning tunnelling and atomic force microscopy images were also produced for the graphene monolayers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and diffraction results for graphene monolayers on Rh(111) surfaces, as well as low energy electron diffraction data, are also included. The novel formation of monolayer and few-layer graphene on nickel thin films is also described. Graphene layers were detached from these nickel thin films and isolated on other substrates. The results of characterisation experiments using scanning probe microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy techniques are detailed. Graphene layers with approximately 75% monolayer graphene coverage and an increased electronic quality, when compared to many other methods of graphene production, were revealed. Different organic molecules were adsorbed on both the boron nitride and graphene monolayers formed on rhodium thin films in UHV conditions. Perylene tetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI) and di(propylthio)-PTCDI molecules were investigated on these surfaces and compared with the adsorption of PTCDI on a graphite surface. Furthermore, dibutyl-coronene tetra-carboxylic diimide was deposited on the graphene (on rhodium) surface, in UHV. Although the boron nitride and graphene surfaces were similar, it was discovered that very contrasting molecular formations were formed on the dierent surfaces. The positioning of these nanostructures was determined by the Moire superstructure formed due to the mismatch between the monolayers and the Rh(111) surface. Additionally, different hydrogen-bonded molecular junctions were formed depending on the length of the side chains of the adsorbed organic molecules.
format Thesis (University of Nottingham only)
author Pollard, Andrew J.
spellingShingle Pollard, Andrew J.
Scanning probe microscopy of adsorbed molecules on boron nitride and graphene monolayers
author_facet Pollard, Andrew J.
author_sort Pollard, Andrew J.
title Scanning probe microscopy of adsorbed molecules on boron nitride and graphene monolayers
title_short Scanning probe microscopy of adsorbed molecules on boron nitride and graphene monolayers
title_full Scanning probe microscopy of adsorbed molecules on boron nitride and graphene monolayers
title_fullStr Scanning probe microscopy of adsorbed molecules on boron nitride and graphene monolayers
title_full_unstemmed Scanning probe microscopy of adsorbed molecules on boron nitride and graphene monolayers
title_sort scanning probe microscopy of adsorbed molecules on boron nitride and graphene monolayers
publishDate 2010
url http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/12121/
http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/12121/1/Pollard_eThesis.pdf
first_indexed 2018-09-06T10:43:46Z
last_indexed 2018-09-06T10:43:46Z
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