STM Questions: Graphite Surface Reconstruction

[jaejoon89]

Hi, I'm an undergrad getting my first taste of STM. I'm hoping somebody can give me some insight into the following:

I'm wondering why graphite doesn't form a surface reconstructon. I know gold does to minimize tensile strain... I am wondering why this doesn't happen in graphite.

 

[nbo10]

I would look into the structure of graphite.

 

[charng]

Hi there,

That's a great question! There are a few reasons why graphite does not typically exhibit surface reconstruction. First, graphite has a layered structure where each layer is made up of hexagonal rings of carbon atoms. These layers are held together by relatively weak van der Waals forces, making the surface of graphite relatively easy to deform without causing significant strain.

Additionally, graphite has a high degree of symmetry, with each carbon atom being surrounded by six other atoms in a hexagonal arrangement. This symmetry makes it difficult for the atoms to rearrange themselves into a different structure without breaking the bonds between them.

In contrast, gold has a more complex crystal structure with a higher degree of anisotropy, meaning that the atoms are not arranged symmetrically. This makes it easier for the atoms to rearrange themselves into a more stable structure, such as a surface reconstruction, to minimize strain.

I hope this helps to answer your question. Keep exploring STM and the fascinating world of surface science!