Hexagonal boron nitride moiré as a template

by Thomas Michely (II. Physikal. Institut, Universität zu Köln)

Thursday 16 Feb 2017, 11:00 → 12:00 Europe/Berlin

Bldg. 47c, room L202 (DESY Hamburg)

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is the isostructural and isoelectronic twin of graphene. Its inertness, strength and insulating properties made it indispensable for the fabrication of 2D layer devices. It has also excellent prospects as a substrate for organic molecules and epitaxy of topological insulator films. Here, the growth of h-BN on Ir(111) is analyzed and the controversy on its structure on Ir(111) is resolved. Then I will discuss the opportunities provided by the h-BN moiré with Ir(111). It is shown that the h-BN moiré is a template for templates low energy ion irradiation damage and thereby offers opportunities to create membranes with dense arrays of holes with a narrow size distribution – as needed for water desalination. It is also a template for the growth of metallic and non-metallic nanocluster arrays. As examples Ir and C cluster arrays are discussed. Finally, I will show that the moiré of h-BN on Ir(111) is also a templates for its on decay, be it thermally or through local currents.