Formation of atomic nanoclusters on graphene sheets

TL;DR

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to explore how different atoms form nanoclusters on graphene sheets, revealing distinct aggregation behaviors and potential impacts on electrical conductivity.

Contribution

It provides new insights into atomic nanocluster formation on graphene and highlights the unique deposition pattern of potassium atoms at low temperatures.

Findings

Transition atoms form various nanoclusters on graphene.

Alkali atoms generally form a single atomic layer.

Potassium atoms deposit regularly at low temperature.

Abstract

The formation of atomic nanoclusters on suspended graphene sheets have been investigated by employing a Molecular dynamics simulation at finite temperature. Our systematic study is based on temperature dependent Molecular dynamics simulations of some transition and alkali atoms on suspended graphene sheets. We find that the transition atoms aggregate and make various size nanoclusters distributed randomly on graphene surface. We also report that most alkali atoms make one atomic layer on graphene sheets. Interestingly, the potassium atoms almost deposit regularly on the surface at low temperature. We expect from this behavior that the electrical conductivity of a suspended graphene doped by potassium atoms would be much higher than the case doped by the other atoms at low temperature.