Organometallic Complexes of Graphene and Carbon Nanotubes: Introducing New Perspectives in Atomtronics, Spintronics, High Mobility Graphene Electronics and Energy Conversion Catalysis

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in understanding the interactions between metal atoms and conjugated carbon surfaces like graphene and nanotubes, highlighting their potential in electronics, catalysis, and energy applications.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental studies on metal-graphene interactions and explores their implications for novel atomtronic, spintronic, and catalytic devices.

Findings

Insights into electronic structure and chemical bonding at metal-graphene interfaces

Advances in graphene functionalization and metal overlayer interactions

Potential applications in high-frequency electronics and energy conversion

Abstract

Here 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 in the next generation energy devices. We touch on 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.