Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Honeycomb Realized: Hf on Ir(111)

• Published in: Nano letters Vol. 13; no. 10; pp. 4671 - 4674
• Main Authors: Li, Linfei, Wang, Yeliang, Xie, Shengyi, Li, Xian-Bin, Wang, Yu-Qi, Wu, Rongting, Sun, Hongbo, Zhang, Shengbai, Gao, Hong-Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 09.10.2013
• Subjects: Carbon - chemistry; Chemical bonds; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electron states; Electrons; Exact sciences and technology; Fullerenes and related materials; diamonds, graphite; Graphene; Graphite - chemistry; Hafnium; Hafnium - chemistry; Honeycomb; Honeycomb construction; Iridium - chemistry; Magnetic properties and materials; Materials science; Mathematical analysis; Methods of electronic structure calculations; Models, Chemical; Physics; Small particles and nanoscale materials; Specific materials; Studies of specific magnetic materials; Transition Elements; Transition metals; Two dimensional; STM; epitaxial growth; Honeycomb lattice; hafnium; Honeycomb lattices; Graphene; Transition elements; Hafnium; Ferromagnetic materials; Magnetic moments; Density functional method; Honeycomb structures; Carbon; Technological application
• ISSN: 1530-6984; 1530-6992
• DOI: 10.1021/nl4019287

Two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb systems made of elements with d electrons are rare. Here, we report the fabrication of a transition metal (TM) 2D layer, namely, hafnium crystalline layers on Ir(111). Experimental characterization reveals that the Hf layer has its own honeycomb lattice, morphologically identical to graphene. First-principles calculations provide evidence for directional bonding between adjacent Hf atoms, analogous to carbon atoms in graphene. Calculations further suggest that the freestanding Hf honeycomb could be ferromagnetic with magnetic moment μ/Hf = 1.46 μB. The realization and investigation of TM honeycomb layers extend the scope of 2D structures and could bring about novel properties for technological applications.