Unearthing Atomic Dynamics in Nanocatalysts.

Being able to access the rich atomic-scale phenomenology, which occurs during the reactions pathways, is a pressing need toward the pursued knowledge-based design of more efficient nanocatalysts, precisely tailored atom by atom for each reaction. However, to reach this goal of achieving maximum optimization, it is mandatory, first, to address how exposure to the experimental conditions, which will be needed to activate the processes, affects the internal configuration of the nanoparticles at the atomic level. In particular, the most critical experimental parameter is probably the temperature, which among other unwanted effects can induce nanocatalyst aggregation.

Aperiodic Modulation of Graphene Driven by Oxygen-Induced Reconstruction of Rh(110).

Artificial nanostructuring of graphene has served as a platform to induce variations in its structural and electronic properties, fostering the experimental observation of a wide and fascinating phenomenology. Here, we present an approach to graphene tuning, based on Rh(110) surface reconstruction induced by oxygen atoms intercalation. The resulting nanostructured graphene has been characterized by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) complemented by low-energy electron microscopy (LEEM), micro low-energy electron diffraction (μ-LEED), micro angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (μ-ARPES), and micro X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (μ-XPS) measurements under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions at room temperature (RT).

Growth of 1D ClAlPc molecular chains mediated by graphene moiré patterns.

The on-surface formation of iso-oriented 1D molecular architectures, with high structural perfection, on 2D materials has been a long-sought objective. However, such realization has been troublesome and limited, and it still remains an experimental challenge. Here, the quasi-1D stripe-like moiré pattern, arising at the interface of graphene grown on Rh(110), has been used to guide the formation of 1D molecular wires of π-conjugated, non-planar, chloro-aluminum phthalocyanine (ClAlPc) molecules, brought together by van der Waals interactions.

Lateral Heterostructures of Graphene and h-BN with Atomic Lattice Coherence and Tunable Rotational Order.

In-plane heterostructures of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) exhibit exceptional properties, which are highly sensitive to the structure of the alternating domains. Nevertheless, achieving accurate control over their structural properties, while keeping a high perfection at the graphene-h-BN boundaries, still remains a challenge. Here, the growth of lateral heterostructures of graphene and h-BN on Rh(110) surfaces is reported.