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In situ atomistic insight into the growth mechanisms of single layer 2D transition metal carbides
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

In situ atomistic insight into the growth mechanisms of single layer 2D transition metal carbides

Xiahan Sang, Yu Xie, Dundar E Yilmaz, Roghayyeh Lotfi, Mohamed Alhabeb, Alireza Ostadhossein, Babak Anasori, Weiwei Sun, Xufan Li, Kai Xiao, …
Nature communications, v 9(1), pp 2266-9
11 Jun 2018
PMID: 29891836
url
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-04610-0View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Developing strategies for atomic-scale controlled synthesis of new two-dimensional (2D) functional materials will directly impact their applications. Here, using in situ aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, we obtain direct insight into the homoepitaxial Frank-van der Merwe atomic layer growth mechanism of TiC single adlayers synthesized on surfaces of Ti C MXene substrates with the substrate being the source material. Activated by thermal exposure and electron-beam irradiation, hexagonal TiC single adlayers form on defunctionalized surfaces of Ti C MXene at temperatures above 500 °C, generating new 2D materials Ti C and Ti C . The growth mechanism for a single TiC adlayer and the energies that govern atom migration and diffusion are elucidated by comprehensive density functional theory and force-bias Monte Carlo/molecular dynamics simulations. This work could lead to the development of bottom-up synthesis methods using substrates terminated with similar hexagonal-metal surfaces, for controllable synthesis of larger-scale and higher quality single-layer transition metal carbides.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
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