Interaction of graphene with intercalated Al: The process of intercalation and specific features of the electronic structure of the system

► Al intercalation leads to formation of the electronic structure of freestanding graphene ► Intercalation of Al is not followed by noticeable charge transfer between graphene and Al ► The energy gap of ~ 0.4 eV is formed near the Fermi level without any filling of unoccupied states ► Intercalation of Al under graphene/Ni(111) accompanied by alloying of Al with Ni ► The process of alloying is followed by termination of Al at the interface under graphene