Efficient control over the grain boundaries (GBs) is a vital aspect in optimizing the graphene growth conditions. A number of methods for visualization of GBs were developed for graphene grown on weakly interacting surfaces. Here, we utilize oxygen intercalation to reveal GBs and study their morphology for graphene strongly bound to the cobalt surface. We demonstrate that upon the intercalation of oxygen, GBs in polycrystalline graphene become easily detectable due to graphene cracking and selective oxidation of the substrate, thus giving a direct insight into the graphene micro- and nanostructure by means of different electron microscopy methods, including scanning electron microscopy, photoemission microscopy and low-energy electron microscopy.

Original languageEnglish
Article number150476
Number of pages7
JournalApplied Surface Science
Volume565
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Nov 2021

    Research areas

  • Grain boundaries, Graphene, Oxygen, Photoemission electron microscopy, Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, LARGE-AREA, OXIDATION, STRENGTH CHARACTERISTICS, ELECTRICAL-TRANSPORT, FILMS, GROWTH, EDGES

    Scopus subject areas

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

ID: 85409810