Physicochemical Processes in Multiphase Systems on MetalSurfaces Containing Nano-Carbon:Segregation, Dissolution, Graphene Nucleation, and Growth

摘要

A carbon phase equilibria on the surface of metals during graphene nucleation and initial graphitegrowth is considered thermodynamically. Three phases are shown to be necessarily taken into account: C atomsdissolved in a metal substrate bulk, C atoms chemisorbed on the surface, and graphene (polycondensed carbonphase). Applicability of the Gibbs phase rule to this particular case is analyzed, with surface tension taken intoaccount as an independent thermodynamic degree of freedom. A specific role of boundary atoms of grapheneislands, which can be considered (with some limitations) as an independent quasi-1D phase is revealed.