(617gg) Formation of Rhodium Nanoclusters Fabricated from Rh(CO)2(acac) on Graphene/Cu(111)

The adsorption of an organometallic compound (Rh(CO)₂(acac)) and formation of Rh nanoclusters on graphene/Cu(111) surface were investigated with ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy (UHV-STM). Graphene layers were successfully prepared on Cu(111) by thermal dissociation of ethylene (C₂H₄). Due to weak interaction between graphene monolayer and Cu(111) substrate, several graphene moiré patterns with different periodicities (e.g. 2.42 and 3.86 nm) and different rotational alignments were observed. Subsequently, Rh nanoclusters were prepared on the surface by chemical vapor deposition of Rh(CO)₂(acac). Findings of this study confirmed that the graphene moiré pattern is the preferential nucleation site and Rh nanoparticles were regularly trapped at the â??fccâ? hollow sites.