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Control of graphene's properties by reversible hydrogenation: evidence for graphane

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Elias, DC 
Nair, RR 
Mohiuddin, TMG 
Morozov, SV 
Blake, P 

Abstract

Although graphite is known as one of the most chemically inert materials, we have found that graphene, a single atomic plane of graphite, can react with atomic hydrogen, which transforms this highly conductive zero-overlap semimetal into an insulator. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that the obtained graphene derivative (graphane) is crystalline and retains the hexagonal lattice, but its period becomes markedly shorter than that of graphene. The reaction with hydrogen is reversible, so that the original metallic state, the lattice spacing, and even the quantum Hall effect can be restored by annealing. Our work illustrates the concept of graphene as a robust atomic-scale scaffold on the basis of which new two-dimensional crystals with designed electronic and other properties can be created by attaching other atoms and molecules.

Description

Keywords

CARBON NANOTUBES, ATOMIC-HYDROGEN, GRAPHITE, STORAGE, SHEETS, MEMBRANES, OXIDE

Journal Title

Science

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0036-8075
1095-9203

Volume Title

323

Publisher

Highwire Press
Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/G030480/1)