Geometric Imaging of Borophene Polymorphs with Functionalized Probes
Abstract
A common characteristic of borophene polymorphs is the presence of hollow hexagons (HHs) in an otherwise triangular lattice. The vast number of possible HH arrangements underlies the polymorphic nature of borophene, and necessitates direct HH imaging to definitively identify its atomic structure. While borophene has been imaged with scanning tunneling microscopy using conventional metal probes, the convolution of topographic and electronic features hinders unambiguous identification of the atomic lattice. Here, we overcomethese limitations by employing CO-functionalized atomic force microscopy to visualize structures corresponding to boron-boron covalent bonds. Additionally, we show that CO functionalized scanning tunneling microscopy is an equivalent and more accessible techniquefor HH imaging, confirming the v1/5 and v1/6 borophene models as unifying structures for all observed phases. Using this methodology, a borophene phase diagram is assembled, including a transition from rotationally commensurate to incommensurate phases at highgrowth temperatures, thus corroborating the chemically discrete nature of borophene
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 09, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1105463
Entities
People
- Boris I Yakobson
- Luqing Wang
- Mark Hersam
- Matthew S. Rahn
- Shaowei Li
- Xiaolong Liu
Organizations
- Northwestern University