Molecular interactions at Graphene Surfaces

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Alec Michael Wodtke
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation ; Solid State and Surface Chemistry, Material Synthesis
• Term: from 2016 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 317340993

We propose an international collaboration between two groups in South Korea expert in nanoscience and a group in Germany specializing in molecular beam surface scattering. The aim of the collaboration is to fabricate graphene in various modified forms using modern nanoscience and to study molecule-surface interactions with molecule beam surface scattering methods. Electronically nonadiabatic interactions, where the molecule's nuclear motion is coupled to the electrons of the solid, are now firmly established for the case of molecules at metal surfaces. A major aim of this proposal is to obtain the first observations of electronically nonadiabatic interactions of molecules at graphene surfaces. This will provide an important benchmark for understanding molecules at graphene surfaces, where up to now this is only considered within the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. Graphene's interesting and tunable electronic structure makes it a fascinating playground for such studies. Hydrogenation of graphene and controlled synthesis of multilayer graphene can be used to alter the electronic structure and observe changes in molecule surface interactions.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: South Korea
• Partner Organisation: National Research Foundation of Korea, NRF
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Myung-Hwa Kim, Ph.D.; Professor Hak-ki Yu, Ph.D.