Direct graphene growth on Co3O4(111) by molecular beam epitaxy

Direct growth of graphene on Co3O4(111) at 1000 K was achieved by molecular beam epitaxy from a graphite source. Auger spectroscopy shows a characteristic sp(2) carbon lineshape, at average carbon coverages from 0.4 to 3 ML. Low energy electron diffraction (LEED) indicates (111) ordering of the sp2 carbon film with a lattice constant of 2.5(+/-0.1) angstrom characteristic of graphene. Sixfold symmetry of the graphene diffraction spots is observed at 0.4, 1 and 3 ML. The LEED data also indicate an average domain size of similar to 1800 angstrom, and show an incommensurate interface with the Co3O4(111) substrate, where the latter exhibits a lattice constant of 2.8(+/-0.1) angstrom. Core level photoemission shows a characteristically asymmetric C(1s) feature, with the expected pi to pi* satellite feature, but with a binding energy for the 3 ML film of 284.9(+/-0.1) eV, indicative of substantial graphene-to-oxide charge transfer. Spectroscopic ellipsometry data demonstrate broad similarity with graphene samples physically transferred to SiO2 or grown on SiC substrates, but with the pi to pi* absorption blue-shifted, consistent with charge transfer to the substrate. The ability to grow graphene directly on magnetically and electrically polarizable substrates opens new opportunities for industrial scale development of charge- and spin-based devices.