In the present study we synthesized nano-thin epitaxial Pt xGd alloys on Pt(111) single crystal surface covered with well-oriented graphene and investigated their electronic and atomic structure at different stages of synthesis. Low-energy electron diffraction, photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy data suggest that deposition of Gd on the graphene/Pt(111) system and its further intercalation at 1080 °C lead to formation of nano-thin Pt 5Gd alloy covered with a quasi-freestanding graphene. We demonstrate that atomically flat alloy surface is terminated by Pt atomic layer with “kagome” structure. Control of graphene doping through variation of the alloy stoichiometry may open up new opportunities in developing advanced electronics. Owing to a well-known catalytic activity of Pt 5Gd alloy, our thin-film system is promising for low-cost production of catalysts in the near future.

Original languageEnglish
Article number146687
Pages (from-to)146687
Number of pages8
JournalApplied Surface Science
Volume526
Early online date21 May 2020
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 2020

    Research areas

  • 2D catalyst, Ab initio calculations, Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, Electronics, Epitaxial alloy, Graphene, Scanning tunneling microscopy

    Scopus subject areas

  • Chemistry(all)
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Physics and Astronomy(all)
  • Surfaces and Interfaces
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films

ID: 53684885