Thermal stability studies of CVD-grown graphene nanoribbons: Defect annealing and loop formation

Abstract: We present a high temperature heat treatment study of CVD-grown graphene nanoribbons annealed up to 2800°C, demonstrating a progressive annihilation of lattice defects as the heat treatment temperature is raised. Starting at 1500°C, single and multiple loop formation were observed on the ribbons edges as the temperature was increased. The structural changes of the samples are documented by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, TGA, SEM, and HRTEM. This work indicates that nanoribbon annealing eventually leads to defect-free samples, through graphitization and edge loop formation. The annealed material exhibits structural differences that could be tailored for a variety of specific applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]