On-surface chemistry: (cyclo)dehydrogenation of PAH catalysed by coinage metal surfaces (Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2017)
New nanoarchitectures can be built from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) by exploiting the catalytic properties of some metal surfaces. Actually, this bottom-up approach allows the formation of nanostructures with different dimensionality from the same precursor as a consequence of the diffusion of the PAH on the surface. Thus, by selecting…
New method to synthesize graphene by using C60 as carbon source (Carbon 2017)
In this work, we describe a new protocol to grow high-quality graphene by physical vapour deposition (PVD) using C60 molecules evaporated in ultra high vacuum conditions (UHV) on Cu foils substrates. The quality of the resulting graphene layer has been assessed by the combination of complementary surface characterization techniques. Additionally,…
Highly selective covalent organic functionalization of epitaxial graphene (Nat. Commun. 2017)
Recently, we have published a new work in Nature Communications: Highly Selective Covalent Organic Functionalization of Epitaxial Graphene. R. Bueno; José I. Martínez; R. Luccas; N. Ruiz del Árbol; C. Munuera; I. Palacio; F. J. Palomares; S. Thakur; J. M. Baranowski; W. Strupinski; M. F. López; F. Mompean; M. García-Hernández;…
Abstract call for the Iberian Vacuum Conference, RIVA-X
A new edition of the Iberian Vacuum Conference, RIVA-X, will be held in Bilbao in the Bizkaia Aretoa centre from 4-6 October 2017. The RIVA Conference is a join meeting of the Spanish Vacuum Society (ASEVA) and the Portuguese Vacuum Society (SOPORVAC), and covers the fields of vacuum and its applications, particularly…
Characterization of thin film growth and processing by in-situ time-resolved GISAXS
The increase in hard X-ray brightness in third generation synchrotron sources together with the development of fast two-dimensional X-ray detectors has enabled to perform time-resolved X-ray scattering experiments in the millisecond regime. Thus, the evolution of the thin film morphology at the nanoscale can be continuously monitored employing Grazing Incidence…
4-aminophenol on Pt(111): adsorption and coupling
Recently, we have published a new work in a special issue of the Surface Science journal in Honour of Richard Lambert. “Adsorption and coupling of 4-aminophenol on Pt(111) surfaces” Surf. Sci. 646 (2016) 5-12 by G. Otero-Irurueta, J.I. Martínez, R.A. Bueno, F.J. Palomares, H.J. Salavagione, M.K. Singh, J. Méndez, G.J.…
Unveiling the structural and electronic properties of epitaxial graphene superstructures on Pt(111): the role of the pinning points
Graphene growth on metal surfaces is one of the most promising routes towards scalable production of high-quality graphene suitable for industrial applications. Conventionally, the growth of graphene is carried out on weakly interacting surfaces – typically Cu foils – where the substrate plays a double role: first, as a catalyst;…
Ultrafast atomic diffusion inducing a reversible transition on Sn/Si(111):B
Here, we present experimental and theoretical evidence of a new reversible transition that takes place in Sn/Si(111):B. The system changes from an insulating (2 √ 3 × 2 √ 3)R30º structure at room temperature to a (√ 3 × √ 3)R30º symmetry above 520 K (2 √ 3 and √…
Self-organized nanopatterning of silicon surfaces by ion beam sputtering
Surface nano-patterning by ion beam sputtering (IBS) is a bottom-up strategy to produce nanostructures on large areas of a wide range of materials (metals, insulators, semiconductors) in just a few minutes. This technique has been known for many years but its underlying physical mechanisms are still open to discussion. Initially,…
Perylene on TiO2(110) surfaces
A deep and detailed understanding of the organic molecule – substrate interaction at the nanoscale is essential in order to develop a real nanoelectronic technology. The combination of Organic molecules and TiO2 surface is becoming a hot topic due to the extended use in novel photovoltaic devices. With this in…