Nanomesh, Zurich university

It is experimentally observed that boron nitride nanomesh only forms on rhodium (Rh) and ruthenium (Ru). On these surfaces the nanomeshes are very similar, as it can be seen in the following two STM images. The left image (a) represents a nanomesh formed on Rh(111) , whereas the right one (b) corresponds to a nanomesh on Ru(0001) .

STM images of nanomesh on rhodium (left) and ruthenium (right). The distance from the center of a pore to the next one is of 3.2 nm.

Theoretical calculations showed that the differences in occupation degrees of bonding and antibonding states can explain the non-formation of nanomesh on other transition metals like nickel or platinum.

Nanomeshes formed on Rh and Ru are very similar, but some differences occur nevertheless. From these images it is for example visible that defects occur more often on Ru than on Rh, what leads to deviations from the mesh periodicity. This may be explained by a stronger interaction between the nanomesh and Ru in comparison to Rh.

References: PRL07, Angew.Chem.07 and Langmuir07

The boron nitride nanomesh forms on single crystals and crystal films

The cost of single crystals is very high since the crystal has to be impurity free and cutted as wanted. In addition the price of Rh has tremendously increased since 2002. In june 2007 it reached over 6'430 $/oz.

h-BN nanomesh can be prepared on Rh(111) single crystals but also on single-crystalline Rh films with a typical thickness of 80-100 nm grown on Al₂O₃(0001). Nanomeshes prepared on both substrate s are similar.
The details of Rh film preparation will be published later.

References: Angew.Chem.07 and Surf.Sci.06

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Workshop 2006

The boron nitride nanomesh forms so far only on rhodium (Rh) and ruthenium (Ru)

The boron nitride nanomesh forms on single crystals and crystal films