Browsing by Subject "Graphite"

Now showing 1 - 11 of 11

Open Access
Atomic theory of the scanning tunneling microscope
(1988) Tekman, Ahmet Erkan
The Scanning Tunneling Microscope is proven to be one of the most powerful tools for surface structure determination. Present theories are able to explain the operation of the microscope when the tip is far from the surface. For the small tip height case the atomic-scale interaction of the tip and the surface has to be included in the theory. The electronic structure of the combined system of the tip and the surface is calculated with an Empirical Tight Binding approach for graphite. It is found that in the vicinity of the tip some Tip Induced Localized States are formed. These states play an important role in the tunneling phenomenon. The contribution of these states to the tunneling current is calculated.
Open Access
Atomic, electronic, and transport properties of quantum point contacts on graphite surface
(1997) Kılıç, Çetin
In this thesis, the variation of conductance through a contact formed by a hard STM tip pressing on a graphite substrate is investigated. Our study involves the molecular dynamics simulations to reveal the evolution of the atomic structure during the growth of the contact, and ab initio electronic structure calculations of graphite that is under expansive and compressive strain along the [0001] axis. Combining the results obtained from these calculations, we propose a mechanism to explain the peculiar variation of the conductance. Owing to the layered structure of graphite, the variation of conductance exhibits dramatic differences from that of normal metals. It is predicted that in graphite, the conductance first increases, and then drops to a lower value with the puncture of the atomic plane. This phenomenon repeats quasi-periodically as the tip continues to press on the surface.
Open Access
Construction of a scanning tunneling microscope and first results
(1990) Oral, Ahmet
In this thesis, construction of a Scanning Tunneling Microscope in air is explained. A step motor sample approach mechanism and a tripod scanner are used in the construction. Atomic resolution images of graphite samples are obtained in both constant current and constant height modes. Loss of trigonal symmetry in some Graphite images are also observed. This anomaly is attributed to the multiple atom tip or slipped top layer of Graphite.
Open Access
Dynamic tuning of plasmon resonance in the visible using graphene
(The Optical Society, 2016) Balci, S.; Balci, O.; Kakenov, N.; Atar, F. B.; Kocabas, C.
We report active electrical tuning of plasmon resonance of silver nanoprisms (Ag NPs) in the visible spectrum. Ag NPs are placed in close proximity to graphene which leads to additional tunable loss for the plasmon resonance. The ionic gating of graphene modifies its Fermi level from 0.2 to 1 eV, which then affects the absorption of graphene due to Pauli blocking. Plasmon resonance frequency and linewidth of Ag NPs can be reversibly shifted by 20 and 35 meV, respectively. The coupled graphene-Ag NPs system can be classically described by a damped harmonic oscillator model. Atomic layer deposition allows for controlling the graphene-Ag NP separation with atomic-level precision to optimize coupling between them.
Open Access
Effects of silicon and germanium adsorbed on graphene
(A I P Publishing LLC, 2010) Aktürk, E.; Ataca, C.; Çıracı, Salim
Based on the first-principles plane wave calculations, we studied the adsorption of Si and Geon graphene. We found that these atoms are bound to graphene at the bridge site with a significant binding energy, while many other atoms are bound at the hollow site above the center of hexagon. It is remarkable that these adatoms may induce important changes in the electronic structure of graphene even at low coverage. Semimetallic graphene becomes metallized and attains a magnetic moment. The combination of adatom orbitals with those of ππ- and π∗π∗-states of bare graphene is found responsible for these effects.
Open Access
Energetics and Electronic Structures of Individual Atoms Adsorbed on Carbon Nanotubes
(American Chemical Society, 2004) Durgun, Engin; Dag, S.; Çıracı, Salim; Gülseren, O.
The adsorption of individual atoms on the semiconducting and metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) has been investigated by using the first principles pseudopotential plane wave method within density functional theory. The stable adsorption geometries and binding energies have been determined for a large number of foreign atoms ranging from alkali and simple metals to the transition metals and group IV elements. We have found that the character of the bonding and associated physical properties strongly depends on the type of adsorbed atoms, in particular, on their valence electron structure. Our results indicate that the properties of SWNTs can be modified by the adsorbed foreign atoms. Although the atoms of good conducting metals, such as Zn, Cu, Ag, and Au, form very weak bonds, transition-metal atoms such as Ti, Sc, Nb, and Ta and group IV elements C and Si are adsorbed with a relatively high binding energy. Owing to the curvature effect, these binding energies are larger than the binding energies of the same atoms on the graphite surface. We have showed that the adatom carbon can form strong and directional bonds between two SWNTs. These connects can be used to produce nanotube networks or grids. Most of the adsorbed transition-metal atoms excluding Ni, Pd, and Pt have a magnetic ground state with a significant magnetic moment. Our results suggest that carbon nanotubes can be functionalized in different ways by their coverage with different atoms, showing interesting applications such as ID nanomagnets or nanoconductors, conducting connects, and so forth.
Open Access
Intimate relationship between structural deformation and properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes
(Cambridge, 2002) Yıldırım, Taner; Gülseren, Oğuz; Çıracı, Salim
Carbon nanotubes continue to surprise scientists with their novel properties. Recently we have discovered many intimate relationships between structural deformation and the properties of single-walled nanotubes (SWNT), that could be important in technological applications. From first-principles we show that by using pressure, carbon nanotubes can be covalently joined to form one and two-dimensional networks of interlinked nanotubes. We also find that the band gap of an insulating nanotube can be engineered by elliptical distortion, which is found to be in the elastic range. This could allow the fine-tuning of the properties of SWNTs via reversible deformation and ultimately lead to variable quantum devices. Finally, we have very recently shown that the chemical reactivity of nanotubes can be tuned by elliptical deformation, which may provide a way to attach various atoms such as H and metals to a specific location on a nanotube.
Open Access
Low-Temperature Deposition of Hexagonal Boron Nitride via Sequential Injection of Triethylboron and N2/H2 Plasma
(Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc., 2014) Haider A.; Ozgit Akgun, C.; Goldenberg, E.; Okyay, Ali Kemal; Bıyıklı, Necmi
Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) thin films were deposited on silicon and quartz substrates using sequential exposures of triethylboron and N 2 /H 2 plasma in a hollow-cathode plasma- assisted atomic layer deposition reactor at low temperatures ( ≤ 450 ° C). A non-saturating film deposition rate was observed for substrate temperatures above 250 ° C. BN films were charac- terized for their chemical composition, crystallinity, surface morphology, and optical properties. X-ray photoelectron spec- troscopy (XPS) depicted the peaks of boron, nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen at the film surface. B 1s and N 1s high-resolution XPS spectra confirmed the presence of BN with peaks located at 190.8 and 398.3 eV, respectively. As deposited films were polycrystalline, single-phase hBN irrespective of the deposition temperature. Absorption spectra exhibited an optical band edge at ~ 5.25 eV and an optical transmittance greater than 90% in the visible region of the spectrum. Refractive index of the hBN film deposited at 450 ° C was 1.60 at 550 nm, which increased to 1.64 after postdeposition annealing at 800 ° C for 30 min. These results represent the first demonstration of hBN deposi- tion using low-temperature hollow-cathode plasma-assisted sequential deposition technique. © 2014 The American Ceramic Society.
Open Access
Microstructural association between mechanical behavior with bending fracture surfaces in Astaloy CrA sintered parts alloyed by Cu and C
(Elsevier Ltd, 2014) Khorsand H.; Ghaffari, M.; Ganjeh, E.
Application of powder metallurgy technique, a method presenting both economic and technical concepts for producing sintered parts, has been expanding in automobile and other engineering industries. Powder metallurgy parts usually possess residual porosity in their microstructures deteriorating mechanical performance. There have been many solutions to increasing of strength in these parts such as applying different heat treatment or adding alloying elements. It is well known that Fe-Cu-C is the one of main alloying system for both increasing the strength and decreasing cost of them. In this study, the microstructure, mechanical properties (transverse rapture strength and hardness), crack behavior and fracture modes of a low alloy Fe-Cr powder (Astaloy CrA) with different amount of copper (0, 1 and 2. wt.%) and carbon, in form of graphite (0.45, 0.6 and 0.8. wt.%) sintered at conventional condition have been investigated. Microstructural evolution showed adding copper and graphite as alloying elements could generate widespread of strength (857-1380. MPa) and hardness (170-295 HV5). Developing different phases in microstructure was the main reason for various mechanical properties. Crack coalescence phenomenon leads to fracturing with ductile (at sinter-necks) and brittle morphology. Micro-mechanism of fracture related to transparticle and interparticle crack propagation. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
Open Access
Spin confinement in the superlattices of graphene ribbons
(AIP Publishing, 2008) Topsakal, M.; Sevinçli, H.; Çıracı, Salim
Based on first-principles calculations, we showed that repeated heterostructures of zigzag graphene nanoribbons of different widths form multiple quantum well structures. Edge states of specific spin directions can be confined in these wells. The electronic and magnetic state of the ribbon can be modulated in real space. In specific geometries, the absence of reflection symmetry causes the magnetic ground state of whole heterostructure to change from antiferromagnetic to ferrimagnetic. These quantum structures of different geometries provide unique features for spintronic applications.
Open Access
Structural superlubricity of platinum on graphite under ambient conditions: the effects of chemistry and geometry
(American Institute of Physics Inc., 2017) Özoǧul, A.; Ipek, S.; Durgun, Engin; Baykara, M. Z.
An investigation of the frictional behavior of platinum nanoparticles laterally manipulated on graphite has been conducted to answer the question of whether the recent observation of structural superlubricity under ambient conditions [E. Cihan, S. Ipek, E. Durgun, and M. Z. Baykara, Nat. Commun. 7, 12055 (2016)] is exclusively limited to the gold-graphite interface. Platinum nanoparticles have been prepared by e-beam evaporation of a thin film of platinum on graphite, followed by post-deposition annealing. Morphological and structural characterization of the nanoparticles has been performed via scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, revealing a crystalline structure with no evidence of oxidation under ambient conditions. Lateral manipulation experiments have been performed via atomic force microscopy under ambient conditions, whereby results indicate the occurrence of structural superlubricity at mesoscopic interfaces of 4000-75 000 nm2, with a noticeably higher magnitude of friction forces when compared with gold nanoparticles of similar contact areas situated on graphite. Ab initio simulations of sliding involving platinum and gold slabs on graphite confirm the experimental observations, whereby the higher magnitude of friction forces is attributed to stronger energy barriers encountered by platinum atoms sliding on graphite, when compared with gold. On the other hand, as predicted by theory, the scaling power between friction force and contact size is found to be independent of the chemical identity of the sliding atoms, but to be determined by the geometric qualities of the interface, as characterized by an average "sharpness score" assigned to the nanoparticles.