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Synthesis and properties of free-standing monolayer amorphous carbon

Author

Listed:
  • Chee-Tat Toh

    (National University of Singapore
    National University of Singapore)

  • Hongji Zhang

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Junhao Lin

    (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Alexander S. Mayorov

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Yun-Peng Wang

    (Vanderbilt University
    Central South University)

  • Carlo M. Orofeo

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Darim Badur Ferry

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Henrik Andersen

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Nurbek Kakenov

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Zenglong Guo

    (Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Irfan Haider Abidi

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Hunter Sims

    (Vanderbilt University)

  • Kazu Suenaga

    (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    University of Tokyo)

  • Sokrates T. Pantelides

    (Vanderbilt University
    Vanderbilt University)

  • Barbaros Özyilmaz

    (National University of Singapore
    National University of Singapore
    National University of Singapore)

Abstract

Bulk amorphous materials have been studied extensively and are widely used, yet their atomic arrangement remains an open issue. Although they are generally believed to be Zachariasen continuous random networks1, recent experimental evidence favours the competing crystallite model in the case of amorphous silicon2–4. In two-dimensional materials, however, the corresponding questions remain unanswered. Here we report the synthesis, by laser-assisted chemical vapour deposition5, of centimetre-scale, free-standing, continuous and stable monolayer amorphous carbon, topologically distinct from disordered graphene. Unlike in bulk materials, the structure of monolayer amorphous carbon can be determined by atomic-resolution imaging. Extensive characterization by Raman and X-ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy reveals the complete absence of long-range periodicity and a threefold-coordinated structure with a wide distribution of bond lengths, bond angles, and five-, six-, seven- and eight-member rings. The ring distribution is not a Zachariasen continuous random network, but resembles the competing (nano)crystallite model6. We construct a corresponding model that enables density-functional-theory calculations of the properties of monolayer amorphous carbon, in accordance with observations. Direct measurements confirm that it is insulating, with resistivity values similar to those of boron nitride grown by chemical vapour deposition. Free-standing monolayer amorphous carbon is surprisingly stable and deforms to a high breaking strength, without crack propagation from the point of fracture. The excellent physical properties of this stable, free-standing monolayer amorphous carbon could prove useful for permeation and diffusion barriers in applications such as magnetic recording devices and flexible electronics.

Suggested Citation

  • Chee-Tat Toh & Hongji Zhang & Junhao Lin & Alexander S. Mayorov & Yun-Peng Wang & Carlo M. Orofeo & Darim Badur Ferry & Henrik Andersen & Nurbek Kakenov & Zenglong Guo & Irfan Haider Abidi & Hunter Si, 2020. "Synthesis and properties of free-standing monolayer amorphous carbon," Nature, Nature, vol. 577(7789), pages 199-203, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:577:y:2020:i:7789:d:10.1038_s41586-019-1871-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1871-2
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Baokun Liang & Yingying Zhang & Christopher Leist & Zhaowei Ou & Miroslav Položij & Zhiyong Wang & David Mücke & Renhao Dong & Zhikun Zheng & Thomas Heine & Xinliang Feng & Ute Kaiser & Haoyuan Qi, 2022. "Optimal acceleration voltage for near-atomic resolution imaging of layer-stacked 2D polymer thin films," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Yiran Ding & Mengqi Zeng & Qijing Zheng & Jiaqian Zhang & Ding Xu & Weiyin Chen & Chenyang Wang & Shulin Chen & Yingying Xie & Yu Ding & Shuting Zheng & Jin Zhao & Peng Gao & Lei Fu, 2021. "Bidirectional and reversible tuning of the interlayer spacing of two-dimensional materials," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-7, December.
    3. Eisuke Yamamoto & Daiki Kurimoto & Kentaro Ito & Kohei Hayashi & Makoto Kobayashi & Minoru Osada, 2024. "Solid-state surfactant templating for controlled synthesis of amorphous 2D oxide/oxyhydroxide nanosheets," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Zhenzhe Zhang & Hanh D. M. Pham & Dmytro F. Perepichka & Rustam Z. Khaliullin, 2024. "Prediction of highly stable 2D carbon allotropes based on azulenoid kekulene," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    5. Kun Wang & Xiucai Sun & Shuting Cheng & Yi Cheng & Kewen Huang & Ruojuan Liu & Hao Yuan & Wenjuan Li & Fushun Liang & Yuyao Yang & Fan Yang & Kangyi Zheng & Zhiwei Liang & Ce Tu & Mengxiong Liu & Ming, 2024. "Multispecies-coadsorption-induced rapid preparation of graphene glass fiber fabric and applications in flexible pressure sensor," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    6. Samuel T. Ciocys & Quentin Marsal & Paul Corbae & Daniel Varjas & Ellis Kennedy & Mary Scott & Frances Hellman & Adolfo G. Grushin & Alessandra Lanzara, 2024. "Establishing coherent momentum-space electronic states in locally ordered materials," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, December.

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