Graphene's Latest Cousin: Plumbene Epitaxial Growth on a “Nano WaterCube”

• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201901017
• Publication Date: 2019-05-10T15:25:17Z
• Authors: Junji Yuhara; Bangjie He; Noriaki Matsunami; Masashi Nakatake; Guy Le Lay
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology

While theoretical studies predicted the stability and exotic properties of plumbene, last group-14 cousin graphene, its realization has remained a challenging quest. Here, it is shown with compelling evidence that plumbene epitaxially grown by segregation on Pd1-x Pbx (111) alloy surface. In scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), exhibits unique surface morphology resembling famous Weaire-Phelan bubble structure Olympic "WaterCube" in Beijing. The "soap bubbles" this "Nano WaterCube" are adjustable their average sizes (in-between 15 80 nm) related to Pb concentration (x < 0.2) dependence lattice parameter Angle-resolved core-level measurements demonstrate lead sheet overlays alloy. Atomic-scale STM images show planar honeycomb unit cell ranging from 0.48 0.49 nm corresponding standalone 2D topological insulator plumbene.