Epitaxial hexagonal boron nitride on Ir(111): A work function template

F. Schulz, R. Drost, Sampsa Hämäläinen, T. Demonchaux, A.P. Seitsonen, P. Liljeroth

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

91 Citations (Scopus)
710 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is a prominent member in the growing family of two-dimensional materials with potential applications ranging from being an atomically smooth support for other two-dimensional materials to templating growth of molecular layers. We have studied the structure of monolayer h-BN grown by chemical vapor deposition on Ir(111) by low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS) experiments and state-of-the-art density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The lattice mismatch between the h-BN and Ir(111) surface results in the formation of a moiré superstructure with a periodicity of ∼29 Å and a corrugation of ∼0.4 Å. By measuring the field emission resonances above the h-BN layer, we find a modulation of the work function within the moiré unit cell of ∼0.5 eV. DFT simulations for a 13-on-12 h-BN/Ir(111) unit cell confirm our experimental findings and allow us to relate the change in the work function to the subtle changes in the interaction between boron and nitrogen atoms and the underlying substrate atoms within the moiré unit cell. Hexagonal boron nitride on Ir(111) combines weak topographic corrugation with a strong work function modulation over the moiré unit cell. This makes h-BN/Ir(111) a potential substrate for electronically modulated thin film and heterosandwich structures.
Original languageEnglish
Article number235429
Pages (from-to)1-8
JournalPhysical Review B
Volume89
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

  • boron nitride
  • density-functional theory
  • Ir(111)
  • scanning tunneling microscopy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Epitaxial hexagonal boron nitride on Ir(111): A work function template'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this