Synthesis and properties of free-standing monolayer amorphous carbon

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 Sims, Kazu Suenaga, Sokrates T. Pantelides and Barbaros Özyilmaz ()
Additional contact information
Chee-Tat Toh: National University of Singapore
Hongji Zhang: National University of Singapore
Junhao Lin: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
Alexander S. Mayorov: National University of Singapore
Yun-Peng Wang: Vanderbilt 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
Sokrates T. Pantelides: Vanderbilt University
Barbaros Özyilmaz: National University of Singapore

Nature, 2020, vol. 577, issue 7789, 199-203

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1871-2

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