Intercalation of silver atoms under a graphite monolayer on Ni(111)

Abstract

The process of silver intercalation under a graphite monolayer (GM) grown on the (111) nickel single-crystal face, GM/Ni(111), is studied. The experiments were conducted in ultrahigh vacuum. The systems were formed in situ in a vacuum chamber under direct monitoring of each stage in the formation of the systems by angle-resolved UV photoelectron spectroscopy and LEED. The possibility of silver intercalation in the GM/Ni(111) system was studied in the course of deposition of various amounts of the metal on the given subject with subsequent heat treatment. It was established that the process occurs optimally under cyclic alternation of the operations of adsorbate (Ag) deposition on the GM/Ni(111) surface and subsequent annealing of the system. In the intermediate stages of GM/Ag/Ni(111) formation, the GM on Ni(111) was found to exist in two phases. Ag intercalation under a graphite monolayer on Ni(111) at room temperature was verified.