The structural evolution of graphene/Fe(110) systems upon annealing

The thermal stability and the structural evolution of graphene grown on Fe(110) has been studied upon annealing in ultra-high vacuum conditions (UHV, P ≤ 10−9 mbar) and in the presence of gaseous ethylene at a pressure of ∼10−6 mbar by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction. It was observed that upon annealing at temperatures below 630 °C, graphene on Fe is thermally stable. Exposure to ethylene at these temperatures promotes the formation of graphene while inhibiting its deterioration. Annealing graphene/Fe(110) at temperatures above 630 °C results in a fast degradation of graphene followed by carburization of the sample, that is the irreversible formation of various iron carbides, with the most common phases being Fe3C (cementite) and Fe7C3 (Eckström-Adcock carbide). Annealing of the carburized sample does not result in the formation of a detectable graphitic structure.

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