Robert V. Dennis

An electronic structure perspective of graphene interfaces

The unusual electronic structure of graphene characterized by linear energy dispersion of bands adjacent to the Fermi level underpins its remarkable transport properties. However, for practical device integration, graphene will need to be interfaced with other materials: 2D layered structures, metals (as ad-atoms, nanoparticles, extended surfaces, and patterned metamaterial geometries), dielectrics, organics, or hybrid structures that in turn are constituted from various inorganic or organic components. The structural complexity at these nanoscale interfaces holds much promise for manifestation of novel emergent phenomena and provides a means to modulate the electronic structure of graphene. In this feature article, we review the modifications to the electronic structure of graphene induced upon interfacing with disparate types of materials with an emphasis on iterative learnings from theoretical calculations and electronic spectroscopy (X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy, scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM), angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD)). We discuss approaches for engineering and modulating a bandgap in graphene through interfacial hybridization, outline experimental methods for examining electronic structure at interfaces, and overview device implications of engineered interfaces. A unified view of how geometric and electronic structure are correlated at interfaces will provide a rational means for designing heterostructures exhibiting emergent physical phenomena with implications for plasmonics, photonics, spintronics, and engineered polymer and metal matrix composites.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies of electronic structure recovery and nitrogen local structure upon thermal reduction of graphene oxide in an ammonia environment

Annealing graphene oxide under an ammonia environment provides a facile approach to defunctionalise this material while simultaneously enabling nitrogen incorporation en route to the preparation of chemically derived graphene. Here, we use X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) in conjunction with near-edge X-ray absorption fine-structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy to probe both the global recovery of electronic structure in this material as well as to monitor evolution of the local structure of incorporated nitrogen atoms when graphene oxide is reduced under an ammonia gas environment at ambient and low pressures in the temperature range between 250 and 1000 °C. The local structure and extent of recovery of the π-conjugated framework is correlated to electrical conductivity measurements. Angle-resolved C K-edge NEXAFS spectra along with O K-edge NEXAFS and C 1s high-resolution XPS spectra suggest that hydroxyl and epoxide functional groups on the basal plane of graphene oxide are eliminated upon annealing to a temperature of 250 °C, bringing about substantial restoration of the π-conjugated framework of graphene. Furthermore, an increase in the in-plane orientation of constituent graphene oxide flakes is observed up to a temperature of 750 °C for annealing under both sets of conditions and is manifested as a greater spread in the intensity of the C K-edge π* resonance as a function of angle of incidence of the X-ray beam. Angle-resolved N K-edge NEXAFS spectra and high-resolution N 1s XPS spectra supplement the global view of recovery of π-conjugation with a local perspective of the chemical bonding environments of incorporated nitrogen atoms. Three distinct modes of nitrogen incorporation are evidenced: amine or nitrile like (N1), pyridinic (N2), and substitutional/graphitic (N3). The data suggest that nitrogen is initially incorporated as nitrile like functionalities at lower temperatures with these moieties protruding above and below the graphene basal plane; however, the nitrile and amine groups are subsequently transformed at higher temperatures through the elimination of oxygenated functional groups and reconstitution of the sp2-hybridized network to in-plane pyridinic and graphitic moieties. The latter two configurations are seen to substantially enhance the conductivity of reduced graphene oxide.

Near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy study of nitrogen incorporation in chemically reduced graphene oxide

The chemical reduction of exfoliated graphene oxide (GO) has gained widespread acceptance as a scalable route for the preparation of chemically derived graphene albeit with remnant topological defects and residual functional groups that preclude realization of the conductance of single-layered graphene. Reduction of GO with hydrazine is substantially effective in restoring the π-conjugated framework of graphene and leads to about a five-to-six orders of magnitude decrease of sheet resistance, but has also been found to result in incidental nitrogen incorporation. Here, the authors use a combination of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and C, O, and N K-edge near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy to examine the local geometric and electronic structure of the incorporated nitrogen species. Both NEXAFS and XPS data suggest substantial recovery of the sp2-hybridized graphene framework upon chemical reduction and removal of epoxide, ketone, hydroxyl, and carboxylic acid species. Two distinct types of nitrogen atoms with pyridinic and pyrrolic character are identified in reduced graphene oxide. The N K-edge NEXAFS spectra suggest that the nitrogen atoms are stabilized within aromatic heterocycles such as pyrazole rings, which has been further corroborated by comparison to standards. The pyrazole fragments are thought to be stabilized by reaction of diketo groups on the edges of graphene sheets with hydrazine. The incorporation of nitrogen within reduced graphene oxide thus leads to local bonding configurations very distinct from substitutional doping observed for graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition in the presence of NH3.

Inside and Outside: X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Mapping of Chemical Domains in Graphene Oxide

The oxidative chemistry of graphite has been investigated for over 150 years and has attracted renewed interest given the importance of exfoliated graphene oxide as a precursor to chemically derived graphene. However, the bond connectivities, steric orientations, and spatial distribution of functional groups remain to be unequivocally determined for this highly inhomogeneous nonstoichiometric material. Here, we demonstrate the application of principal component analysis to scanning transmission X-ray microscopy data for the construction of detailed real space chemical maps of graphene oxide. These chemical maps indicate very distinct functionalization motifs at the edges and interiors and, in conjunction with angle-resolved near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, enable determination of the spatial location and orientations of functional groups. Chemical imaging of graphene oxide provides experimental validation of the modified Lerf-Klinowski structural model. Specifically, we note increased contributions from carboxylic acid moieties at edge sites with epoxide and hydroxyl species dominant within the interior domains.

Graphene oxide and functionalized multi walled carbon nanotubes as epoxy curing agents: a novel synthetic approach to nanocomposites containing active nanostructured fillers

A novel synthetic approach is developed wherein graphene oxide and oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes are used as curing agents to induce cross-linking of an epoxy resin, thereby yielding a nanostructured epoxy composite with excellent dispersion of the carbon nanomaterials. This method allows for incorporation of up to 50 wt% of carbon nanomaterials within the polymeric matrix. The combination of covalent bonding and π–π interactions ensure excellent dispersibility of the nanomaterials within the polymeric matrix. These nanocomposites offer an alternative to the hazardous high-temperature fluorination and amine curing reactions that are usually required to formulate epoxy composite systems. Structural, mechanical, and morphological characterization of the composite material confirms the distribution, integrity, and potential to resist corrosion on a steel surface while also indicating the excellent adhesion and flexibility of the nanocomposite coatings.

In situ near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy investigation of the thermal defunctionalization of graphene oxide

In situ near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy is used in conjunction with measurements of sheet resistance to examine the electronic structure recovery of graphene oxide upon thermal annealing. Several different defunctionalization regimes are identified with the initial removal of basal plane epoxide and hydroxyl functionalities and subsequent elimination of carboxylic acid moieties. The measured electrical conductivity is closely correlated to recovery of the conjugated π structure. A pronounced broadening of the C K-edge π* resonance is observed upon annealing and is ascribed to the superposition of the NEXAFS signatures of sp2-hybridized domains of varying dimensionality. Such incipient conjugated domains generated upon thermal defunctionalization mediate variable range hopping transport and further lead to an increase in the electrical conductance. Finally, both C K-edge and O K-edge spectra suggest that ring ether functionalities such as pyrans or furans and/or 1,2- and 1,4...

Atomic Layer Deposition of Hafnium(IV) Oxide on Graphene Oxide: Probing Interfacial Chemistry and Nucleation by using X-ray Absorption and Photoelectron Spectroscopies

Interfacing graphene with metal oxides is of considerable technological importance for modulating carrier density through electrostatic gating as well as for the design of earth-abundant electrocatalysts. Herein, we probe the early stages of the atomic layer deposition (ALD) of HfO2 on graphene oxide using a combination of C and O K-edge near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopies and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Dosing with water is observed to promote defunctionalization of graphene oxide as a result of the reaction between water and hydroxyl/epoxide species, which yields carbonyl groups that further react with migratory epoxide species to release CO2 . The carboxylates formed by the reaction of carbonyl and epoxide species facilitate binding of Hf precursors to graphene oxide surfaces. The ALD process is accompanied by recovery of the π-conjugated framework of graphene. The delineation of binding modes provides a means to rationally assemble 2D heterostructures.