Issue 27, 2014

C K-edge NEXAFS spectra of graphene with physical and chemical defects: a study based on density functional theory

Abstract

Recently, C K-edge Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) spectra of graphite (HOPG) surfaces have been measured for the pristine material, and for HOPG treated with either bromine or krypton plasmas (Lippitz et al., Surf. Sci., 2013, 611, L1). Changes of the NEXAFS spectra characteristic for physical (krypton) and/or chemical/physical modifications of the surface (bromine) upon plasma treatment were observed. Their molecular origin, however, remained elusive. In this work we study by density functional theory, the effects of selected point and line defects as well as chemical modifications on NEXAFS carbon K-edge spectra of single graphene layers. For Br-treated surfaces, also Br 3d X-ray Photoelectron Spectra (XPS) are simulated by a cluster approach, to identify possible chemical modifications. We observe that some of the defects related to plasma treatment lead to characteristic changes of NEXAFS spectra, similar to those in experiment. Theory provides possible microscopic origins for these changes.

Graphical abstract: C K-edge NEXAFS spectra of graphene with physical and chemical defects: a study based on density functional theory

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
14 Mar 2014
Accepted
22 May 2014
First published
23 May 2014
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014,16, 14083-14095

Author version available

C K-edge NEXAFS spectra of graphene with physical and chemical defects: a study based on density functional theory

C. Ehlert, W. E. S. Unger and P. Saalfrank, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014, 16, 14083 DOI: 10.1039/C4CP01106F

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