Doping of Cr in Graphene Using Electron Beam Manipulation for Functional Defect Engineering

Ondrej Dyck, Mina Yoon, Lizhi Zhang, Andrew R. Lupini, Jacob L. Swett, Stephen Jesse

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Chromium atoms in graphene have been proposed to exhibit magnetic moments and spin-selective conducting states depending on the local bonding geometry within the graphene structure, which could lead to interesting applications in spintronics. Despite this interest, there are few direct experimental reports of Cr dopants in graphene even though it is theorized to be stable. Here, we demonstrate the introduction of single Cr dopant atoms into the graphene lattice and onto graphene edges through the controlled use of a focused electron beam in a scanning transmission electron microscope. We show local control of doping locations, and when coupled with targeted in situ milling during scanning of the e-beam, these strategies demonstrate an important component of the fabrication of tailored nanostructured devices in the electron microscope. The approach is validated with first-principles calculations to understand synthesis pathways during fabrication and reveal the energetics and local properties of Cr atoms embedded in graphene; for example, Cr doping can convert graphene into a magnetic and semiconducting material, which suggests Cr-doped graphene can be used as a building block for potential electronic devices and a means to construct them.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)10855-10863
Number of pages9
JournalACS Applied Nano Materials
Volume3
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 25 2020

Funding

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Sciences and Engineering Division (O.D., M.Y., A.R.L., and S.J.) and was performed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS), a U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science User Facility.

FundersFunder number
CNMS
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Science
Basic Energy Sciences
Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering

    Keywords

    • atomic fabrication
    • band engineering
    • chromium
    • defect engineering
    • graphene doping

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