Elsevier, Carbon, 13(50), p. 4822-4829, 2012
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2012.06.008
Full text: Download
We demonstrate the growth of graphene nanocrystals by molecular beam methods that employ a solid carbon source, and that can be used on a diverse class of large area dielectric substrates. Characterization by Raman and Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure spectroscopies reveal a sp2 hybridized hexagonal carbon lattice in the nanocrystals. Lower growth rates favor the formation of higher quality, larger size multi-layer graphene crystallites on all investigated substrates. The surface morphology is determined by the roughness of the underlying substrate and graphitic monolayer steps are observed by ambient scanning tunneling microscopy. ; Comment: Accepted in Carbon; Discussion section added; 20 pages, 6 figures (1 updated)