Anomalous behavior of silver atoms in intercalation under a two-dimensional graphite film

Abstract

It is shown that silver atoms, the only ones of many atoms studied previously (Si, C, Mo, Pt, Cu, Ir, Ni, Au, Cs, K, Na, Ba,...), do not intercalate, that is, do not penetrate under a two-dimensional graphite film (2DGF) on a metal either upon direct depositing in the temperature range 300–2000 K or annealing of a previously deposited silver film. Intercalation becomes possible if silver is deposited on a 2DGF with previously intercalated cesium; in this case, silver atoms displace Cs atoms from under the 2DGF upon heating up to 1100 K.