Computational insights and the observation of SiC nanograin assembly: towards 2D silicon carbide.

ABSTRACT: While an increasing number of two-dimensional (2D) materials, including graphene and silicene, have already been realized, others have only been predicted. An interesting example is the two-dimensional form of silicon carbide (2D-SiC). Here, we present an observation of atomically thin and hexagonally bonded nanosized grains of SiC assembling temporarily in graphene oxide pores during an atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy experiment. Even though these small grains do not fully represent the bulk crystal, simulations indicate that their electronic structure already approaches that of 2D-SiC. This is predicted to be flat, but some doubts have remained regarding the preference of Si for sp ³ hybridization. Exploring a number of corrugated morphologies, we f

SUBMITTER: Susi T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5493665 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature