Enhanced reactivity of graphene wrinkles and their function as nanosized gas inlets for reactions under graphene

Abstract

Formation of wrinkles at graphene/Pt(111) surface was investigated by low energy electron microscopy (LEEM). Reversible wrinkling and unwrinkling of graphene sheets were observed upon cycled heating and cooling treatments, exhibiting a hysteresis effect with the temperature. In situ LEEM studies of graphene oxidation show preferential oxidation of the wrinkles than flat graphene sheets and graphene edges. The function of the wrinkles as one-dimensional (1D) nanosized gas inlets for oxygen and the strain at the distorted sp²-hybridized carbon atoms of the wrinkle sites can be attributed to the enhanced reactivity of wrinkles to the oxidation. Meanwhile, wrinkles also served as nanosized gas inlets for oxidation of CO intercalated between graphene and Pt(111). Considering that wrinkles are frequently present in graphene structures, the role of wrinkles as 1D reaction channels and their enhanced reactivity to reactions may have an important effect on graphene chemistry.