Metals on graphene and carbon nanotube surfaces: From mobile atoms to atomtronics to bulk metals to clusters and catalysts

Abstract
In this Perspective, we present an overview of recent fundamental studies on the nature of the interaction between individual metal atoms and metal clusters and the conjugated surfaces of graphene and carbon nanotube with a particular focus on the electronic structure and chemical bonding at the metal-graphene interface. We discuss the relevance of organometallic complexes of graphitic materials to the development of a fundamental understanding of these interactions and their application in atomtronics as atomic interconnects, high mobility organometallic transistor devices, high-frequency electronic devices, organometallic catalysis (hydrogen fuel generation by photocatalytic water splitting, fuel cells, hydrogenation), spintronics, memory devices, and the next generation energy devices. We touch on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) graphene grown on metals, the reactivity of its surface, and its use as a template for asymmetric graphene functionalization chemistry (ultrathin Janus discs). We highlight some of the latest advances in understanding the nature of interactions between metals and graphene surfaces from the standpoint of metal overlayers deposited on graphene and SWNT thin films. Finally, we comment on the major challenges facing the field and the opportunities for technological applications. © 2013 American Chemical Society.

Citation
Sarkar, S., Moser, M. L., Tian, X., Zhang, X., Al-Hadeethi, Y. F., & Haddon, R. C. (2013). Metals on Graphene and Carbon Nanotube Surfaces: From Mobile Atoms to Atomtronics to Bulk Metals to Clusters and Catalysts. Chemistry of Materials, 26(1), 184–195. doi:10.1021/cm4025809

Acknowledgements
Prepared with funding from the National Science Foundation; includes research supported by: DMEA- H94003-10-2-1003, NSF-DMR 0820382, NSF-DMR-1305724, King Abdulaziz University under grant No 51-3-1432/HiCi, and DOE-FAR0014507.

Publisher
American Chemical Society (ACS)

Journal
Chemistry of Materials

DOI
10.1021/cm4025809

arXiv
1409.5194

Additional Links
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/cm4025809http://arxiv.org/pdf/1409.5194

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