10 research outputs found
Direct in situ observations of single Fe atom catalytic processes and anomalous diffusion at graphene edges
Single-atom catalysts are of great interest because of their high
efficiency. In the case of chemically deposited sp2 carbon, the implementation
of a single transition metal atom for growth can provide
crucial insight into the formation mechanisms of graphene and carbon
nanotubes. This knowledge is particularly important if we are
to overcome fabrication difficulties in these materials and fully take
advantage of their distinct band structures and physical properties.
In this work, we present atomically resolved transmission EM in situ
investigations of single Fe atoms at graphene edges. Our in situ
observations show individual iron atoms diffusing along an edge
either removing or adding carbon atoms (viz., catalytic action). The
experimental observations of the catalytic behavior of a single Fe
atom are in excellent agreement with supporting theoretical studies.
In addition, the kinetics of Fe atoms at graphene edges are
shown to exhibit anomalous diffusion, which again, is in agreement
with our theoretical investigations.120181sciescopu