A nanoscopic approach to studying evolution in graphene wettability

摘要: The equilibrium state of graphene surfaces exposed to ambient conditions is significant importance for applications from electronics anti-corrosion layers and a fundamental perspective. environmental exposure influences macroscopic properties the surface, as recent studies on wettability reported. However, these are controversial two reasons: firstly, time dependency complicates comparison results different groups. Secondly it’s inherently difficult understand underlying physical phenomena by means measurements alone. Here we study evolution monolayers copper exposing samples controlled conditions. Static contact angle reveal that undergoes transition in its slightly hydrophilic hydrophobic over timescales order hours. To gain further insight, apply Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy recently developed dynamic atomic force microscopy-based probe sample surface at nanoscale. This novel nanoscopic approach allows us demonstrate induced adsorption water molecules environment combination with hydrocarbon contamination. Furthermore, our nanoscale observations challenge wetting transparency theory after environment.