Formation of graphene nanoribbons on the macrofacets of vicinal 6H-SiC(0001) surfaces

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the formation of graphene nanoribbons on vicinal 6H-SiC(0001) surfaces through thermal decomposition, revealing a pseudo-GNR array with specific structural and spectroscopic characteristics.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method for creating pseudo-graphene nanoribbons on SiC surfaces via controlled thermal decomposition and surface facet engineering.

Findings

Nanoribbons are approximately 2 nm wide and aligned along the [1-210] direction.

Raman spectroscopy indicates armchair edge nanoribbon characteristics.

A pseudo-GNR array forms with a periodicity of 3.3 nm.

Abstract

Thermal decomposition of vicinal 6H-SiC(0001) surfaces with off-angles toward the $[1\bar{1}00]$ direction results in the appearance of pairs of (0001) macroterraces and $(1\bar{1}0n)$ macrofacets covered with graphene, as follows. A carpet-like carbon layer grows on the surface, covering both the macroterraces and macrofacets; it forms $(6\sqrt{3} \times 6\sqrt{3})$ buffer layer on the former ones, whereas its partial periodic bonding with the SiC steps on the latter ones generates a pseudo-graphene nanoribbon (pseudo-GNR) array. The nanoribbons have a width of 2 nm and are aligned in the $[1\bar{2}10]$ direction with a spatial periodicity of 3.3 nm. Here, the Raman spectroscopy analysis of the pseudo-GNR array showed the absence of the 2D peak and the polarization dependence of the $G$ and $D$ peaks, which is typical of the armchair edge nanoribbon.