| AVS 66th International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| 2D Materials | Thursday Sessions |
| Session 2D+EM+MI+NS+QS+SS-ThM |
| Session: | Dopants, Defects, and Interfaces in 2D Materials |
| Presenter: | Patricia A. Thiel, Ames Laboratory and Iowa State University |
| Authors: | A. Lii-Rosales, Ames Laboratory and Iowa State University S. Julien, Northeastern University K.-T. Wan, Northeastern University Y. Han, Ames Laboratory and Iowa State University K.C. Lai, Iowa State University M.C. Tringides, Ames Laboratory and Iowa State University J.W. Evans, Ames Laboratory and Iowa State University P.A. Thiel, Ames Laboratory and Iowa State University |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
We have developed a continuum elasticity model for metals embedded beneath the surfaces of layered materials. The model predicts that the equilibrated cluster shape is invariant with size, manifest both by constant side slope and by constant aspect ratio (width:height ratio). This prediction is rationalized by dimensional analysis of the relevant energetic contributions. The model is consistent with experimental data for Cu and Fe clusters embedded in graphite, especially in the limit of large clusters. For comparison, we have performed a Winterbottom analysis of the equilibrium shape of an uncovered Cu cluster supported on top of graphite. The aspect ratio of the embedded cluster is about an order of magnitude higher than that of the supported cluster. Analysis of key energetics indicates that this is due to the strain energy (resistance to deformation) of the top graphene membrane, which effectively squeezes the metal cluster and forces it to adopt a relatively low, flattened shape. These insights may be useful for developing components such as metallic heat sinks or electrodes in electronic devices that use two-dimensional or layered materials.