Electrostatic interactions between graphene layers and their environment

TL;DR

This paper investigates the electrostatic interactions between graphene and its environment, focusing on substrate effects, water layers, and implications for nanoelectromechanical systems and STM interactions.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of the electrostatic effects from substrate polar modes and water, revealing how these interactions influence graphene's behavior and device applications.

Findings

Graphene is pinned to the substrate at distances beyond a few lattice spacings.

Polar modes at SiO₂ surface significantly affect electrostatic interactions.

Water molecules can form layers that modify the interaction strength.

Abstract

We analyze the electrostatic interactions between a single graphene layer and a SiO$_2$ susbtrate, and other materials which may exist in its environment. We obtain that the leading effects arise from the polar modes at the SiO$_2$ surface, and water molecules, which may form layers between the graphene sheet and the substrate. The strength of the interactions implies that graphene is pinned to the substrate at distances greater than a few lattice spacings. The implications for graphene nanoelectromechanical systems, and for the interaction between graphene and a STM tip are also considered.