Graphene on metallic surfaces: problems and perspectives

TL;DR

This paper reviews the current understanding of graphene's interaction with metallic surfaces, focusing on classification, electronic structure features, and potential applications in physics and chemistry.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive classification of graphene-metal systems based on lattice matching and interaction strength, summarizing experimental and theoretical insights.

Findings

Different classifications of graphene-metal systems are detailed.

Electronic structure features vary with interaction type.

The paper discusses future perspectives in fundamental and applied research.

Abstract

The present manuscript summarizes the modern view on the problem of the graphene-metal interaction. Presently, the close-packed surfaces of d metals are used as templates for the preparation of highly-ordered graphene layers. Different classifications can be introduced for these systems: graphene on lattice-matched and graphene on lattice-mismatched surfaces where the interaction with the metallic substrate can be either "strong" or "weak". Here these classifications, with the focus on the specific features in the electronic structure in all cases, are considered on the basis of large amounts of experimental and theoretical data, summarized and discussed. The perspectives of the graphene-metal interface in fundamental and applied physics and chemistry are pointed out.