SENA, Silvia Helena Roberto de. Propriedades eletrônicas de tricamada de grafeno e nanofitas de carbono tensionadas. 2012. 112 f. Tese (Doutorado em Física) - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Física, Departamento de Física, Centro de Ciências, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2012. / Submitted by Edvander Pires (edvanderpires@gmail.com) on 2015-10-15T18:11:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2012_tese_shrsena.pdf: 15892821 bytes, checksum: ed3de1e000d2b9d87efc866ee0064b8f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Edvander Pires(edvanderpires@gmail.com) on 2015-10-21T20:35:21Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2012_tese_shrsena.pdf: 15892821 bytes, checksum: ed3de1e000d2b9d87efc866ee0064b8f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-10-21T20:35:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2012_tese_shrsena.pdf: 15892821 bytes, checksum: ed3de1e000d2b9d87efc866ee0064b8f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Graphene is a truly two-dimensional crystal with a gapless linear electronic spectrum at low energies (E<1 eV) which, along with the chiral nature of its charge carriers, is responsible for a variety of unusual properties. As a result of its uniqueness, a great effort has been made in order to understand all its fundamental properties and try to generate a new technology of them. In this thesis we theoretically study two types of graphene-related systems: graphene nanoribbons and trilayer graphene (TLG). Concerning the former, a tight-binding model is used to study the energy band of graphene and graphene ribbon under simple shear strain. The ribbon consists of lines of carbon atoms in an armchair or zigzag orientation where a simple shear strain is applied in the $x$-direction keeping the atomic distances in the $y$-direction unchanged. Such modification in the lattice gives an energy band that differs in several aspects from the one without any shear and with pure shear. The changes in the spectrum depend on the line displacement of the ribbon, and also on the modified hopping parameter. It is also shown that this simple shear strain tunes the electronic properties of both graphene and graphene ribbon, opening and closing energy gaps for different displacements of the system. The modified density of states is also shown. On the latter subject, the continuum model is used in order to investigate the electronic spectrum of three coupled graphene layers (graphene trilayers) in the presence of an external magnetic field. We obtain analytical expressions for the Landau level (LL) spectrum for both the ABA and ABC types of stacking, which exhibit very different dependence on the magnetic field. While the LL spectrum of ABA TLG is found to be a superposition of a monolayer-like and bilayer-like spectra, the ABC TLG present a nearly B^{3/2} field dependence. We show that layer asymmetry and an external gate voltage can strongly influence the properties of the system. In addition, the cyclotron resonance energies, the corresponding oscillator strengths, and the cyclotron absorption spectrum for trilayer graphene are calculated for both ABA and ABC stacking. A gate potential across the stacked layers leads to (1) a reduction of the transition energies, (2) a lifting of the degeneracy of the zero Landau level, and (3) the removal of the electron-hole symmetry. / Grafeno é um cristal bidimensional cujo espectro eletrônico a baixas energias (E <1 eV) apresenta dispersão linear e ausência de gap que, juntamente com a natureza quiral dos portadores de carga, são responsáveis por uma variedade de propriedades incomuns. Como resultado da sua natureza singular, um grande esforço tem sido feito para entender todas as suas propriedades fundamentais e tentar gerar uma nova tecnologia baseada nesse material. Nesta tese, nós realizamos um estudo teórico de dois tipos de sistemas: nanofitas de grafeno e tricamadas grafeno (TCG). No que diz respeito ao primeiro sistema, um modelo de ligação forte (tight-binding) é utilizado para estudar as bandas de energia do grafeno e fitas de grafeno sujeitas a uma tensão de cisalhamento. A fita é constituída por linhas de átomos de carbono cujas bordas estão orientadas nas direções conhecidas como “armchair” ou “zigzag”. Uma tensão de cisalhamento simples é aplicada na direção x de forma que as distâncias interatômicas na direção y são mantidas inalteradas. Esta modificação na rede cristalina origina bandas de energia que diferem em vários aspectos do sistema original sem qualquer deformação. As mudanças no espectro dependem do deslocamento entre linhas adjacentes da fita, bem como do parâmetro de “hopping” modificado. Mostra-se também que este cisalhamento simples modifica as propriedades eletrônicas de ambos os sistemas, fitas de grafeno e grafeno, abrindo e fechando gaps de energia para diferentes deslocamentos do sistema. A densidade de estados modificada também é mostrada. Por fim, o modelo contínuo é utilizado a fim de investigar o espectro electrônico de três camadas de grafeno acopladas (tricamada de grafeno), na presença de um campo magnético externo. Nesse contexto, obtemos expressões analíticas para os nveis de Landau para ambos os tipos de empilhamento: Bernal (ABA) e romboédrico (ABC), verificando-se uma forte dependência dos níveis de energia com o tipo de empilhamento. Embora o espectro de Landau para tricamadas ABA seja uma sobreposição dos espectros de uma monocamada e de uma bicamada, tricamadas com empilhamento ABC apresentam uma dispersão do tipo B3/2 com o campo magnético. Foi mostrado que uma assimetria entre as camadas, que pode ser introduzida por um potencial externo, pode influenciar fortemente as propriedades do sistema. Além disso, as energias de ressonância cíclotron, assim como forças de oscilador correspondentes, e o espectro de absorção para tricamadas de grafeno são calculadas para ambos os tipos de empilhamento. Verificou-se que um potencial de porta aplicado através das camadas leva a (1) uma redução das energias de transição, (2) um levantamento da degenerescência do nível de Landau n=0, e (3) a quebra de simetria entre elétrons e buracos.

The focus of this dissertation is to utilize chemical functionalization as a probe to investigate the reactivity of N-doped multiwalled carbon nanotubes (N-MWCNTs). The surface of N-MWCNTs, being a set of potentially reactive graphene edges, provides a large number of reactive sites for chemical modification, so considerable changes in chemical and physical properties can be envisaged. We observed that both reduction (dissolving metal reduction/alkylation) and oxidation (H2SO4/HNO3 and H2SO4/KMnO4 mixtures) of N-MWCNTs lead to formation of interesting spiral channels and spiraled carbon nanoribbons. A variety of techniques, including TGA, SEM, TEM, XRD and surface area measurements were used to analyze these new textural changes. We have developed methods to demonstrate that specific chemistry has occurred on these new structures. To this end, we introduced metal-binding ligands that could be used as probes in imaging and spectroscopic techniques including TEM, STEM, EDX, and EELS. A proposal for the underlying structure of N-MWCNTs responsible for the formation of the new textures is presented. We have investigated the performance of our materials as potential negative electrodes for rechargeable lithium ion batteries.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Grafeno à um cristal bidimensional cujo espectro eletrÃnico a baixas energias (E <1 eV) apresenta dispersÃo linear e ausÃncia de gap que, juntamente com a natureza quiral dos portadores de carga, sÃo responsÃveis por uma variedade de propriedades incomuns. Como resultado da sua natureza singular, um grande esforÃo tem sido feito para entender todas as suas propriedades fundamentais e tentar gerar uma nova tecnologia baseada nesse material. Nesta tese, nÃs realizamos um estudo teÃrico de dois tipos de sistemas: nanofitas de grafeno e tricamadas grafeno (TCG). No que diz respeito ao primeiro sistema, um modelo de ligaÃÃo forte (tight-binding) à utilizado para estudar as bandas de energia do grafeno e fitas de grafeno sujeitas a uma tensÃo de cisalhamento. A fita à constituÃda por linhas de Ãtomos de carbono cujas bordas estÃo orientadas nas direÃÃes conhecidas como âarmchairâ ou âzigzagâ. Uma tensÃo de cisalhamento simples à aplicada na direÃÃo x de forma que as distÃncias interatÃmicas na direÃÃo y sÃo mantidas inalteradas. Esta modificaÃÃo na rede cristalina origina bandas de energia que diferem em vÃrios aspectos do sistema original sem qualquer deformaÃÃo. As mudanÃas no espectro dependem do deslocamento entre linhas adjacentes da fita, bem como do parÃmetro de âhoppingâ modificado. Mostra-se tambÃm que este cisalhamento simples modifica as propriedades eletrÃnicas de ambos os sistemas, fitas de grafeno e grafeno, abrindo e fechando gaps de energia para diferentes deslocamentos do sistema. A densidade de estados modificada tambÃm à mostrada. Por fim, o modelo contÃnuo à utilizado a fim de investigar o espectro electrÃnico de trÃs camadas de grafeno acopladas (tricamada de grafeno), na presenÃa de um campo magnÃtico externo. Nesse contexto, obtemos expressÃes analÃticas para os nveis de Landau para ambos os tipos de empilhamento: Bernal (ABA) e romboÃdrico (ABC), verificando-se uma forte dependÃncia dos nÃveis de energia com o tipo de empilhamento. Embora o espectro de Landau para tricamadas ABA seja uma sobreposiÃÃo dos espectros de uma monocamada e de uma bicamada, tricamadas com empilhamento ABC apresentam uma dispersÃo do tipo B3/2 com o campo magnÃtico. Foi mostrado que uma assimetria entre as camadas, que pode ser introduzida por um potencial externo, pode influenciar fortemente as propriedades do sistema. AlÃm disso, as energias de ressonÃncia cÃclotron, assim como forÃas de oscilador correspondentes, e o espectro de absorÃÃo para tricamadas de grafeno sÃo calculadas para ambos os tipos de empilhamento. Verificou-se que um potencial de porta aplicado atravÃs das camadas leva a (1) uma reduÃÃo das energias de transiÃÃo, (2) um levantamento da degenerescÃncia do nÃvel de Landau n=0, e (3) a quebra de simetria entre elÃtrons e buracos. / Graphene is a truly two-dimensional crystal with a gapless linear electronic spectrum at low energies (E<1 eV) which, along with the chiral nature of its charge carriers, is responsible for a variety of unusual properties. As a result of its uniqueness, a great effort has been made in order to understand all its fundamental properties and try to generate a new technology of them. In this thesis we theoretically study two types of graphene-related systems: graphene nanoribbons and trilayer graphene (TLG). Concerning the former, a tight-binding model is used to study the energy band of graphene and graphene ribbon under simple shear strain. The ribbon consists of lines of carbon atoms in an armchair or zigzag orientation where a simple shear strain is applied in the $x$-direction keeping the atomic distances in the $y$-direction unchanged. Such modification in the lattice gives an energy band that differs in several aspects from the one without any shear and with pure shear. The changes in the spectrum depend on the line displacement of the ribbon, and also on the modified hopping parameter. It is also shown that this simple shear strain tunes the electronic properties of both graphene and graphene ribbon, opening and closing energy gaps for different displacements of the system. The modified density of states is also shown. On the latter subject, the continuum model is used in order to investigate the electronic spectrum of three coupled graphene layers (graphene trilayers) in the presence of an external magnetic field. We obtain analytical expressions for the Landau level (LL) spectrum for both the ABA and ABC types of stacking, which exhibit very different dependence on the magnetic field. While the LL spectrum of ABA TLG is found to be a superposition of a monolayer-like and bilayer-like spectra, the ABC TLG present a nearly B^{3/2} field dependence. We show that layer asymmetry and an external gate voltage can strongly influence the properties of the system. In addition, the cyclotron resonance energies, the corresponding oscillator strengths, and the cyclotron absorption spectrum for trilayer graphene are calculated for both ABA and ABC stacking. A gate potential across the stacked layers leads to (1) a reduction of the transition energies, (2) a lifting of the degeneracy of the zero Landau level, and (3) the removal of the electron-hole symmetry.

Carbon nanoribbons are today of great interest as graphene segments with modulable electronic properties. Whilst top down techniques give giant ribbons, bottom-up organic synthesis may lead to exactly designed nanoribbons of controlled geometries. The Scholl reaction is a precious chemical tool for that purpose since it yields efficiently to the graphitization of long and flexible polyphenylene precursors.Surprisingly, twisted structures may be obtained preferentially even if less crowded isomers are also feasible. It has been shown that, against all expectation, even a strong steric hindrance has no marked effect on regioselectivity and highly twisted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are sometimes preferentially formed, whereas their flat and more symmetrical isomers are only obtained in minority. Highly twisted structures such as hexabenzotriphenylene (HBTP) may then be obtained very easily from flexible polyphenylene precursors.After discovering this unexpected regioselectivity, we used it on purpose to form polyhelicenic species. Attempts to prepared hexaphenanthrotriphenylene (HPTP) were unsuccessful due to reactivity issues when synthesizing the corresponding flexible precursors. By using a new versatile strategy leading to an advanced common precursor, several C3-symmetrical flexible substrates have been synthesized and submitted to Scholl reaction. The expected [6]helicenes were not obtained and rearranged products were formed instead, but TMS-bearing HBTP could be prepared, as well as a hexabenzocoronene (HBC) which exceptionnal solubility is due to the distortion of the aromatic core under the effect of bulky tert-butyl substituents in bay regions.The easily formed [5]helicene fragment has been incorporated in the design of twisted carbon nanoribbons that would be composed of a succession of such motifs. As a test reaction, the corresponding monomer and dimer have been synthesized with an excellent yield and fully characterized. Their X-ray structures have even been determined, giving interesting information about their configuration. A more general strategy has then been developed and optimized for the systematic synthesis of longer oligomers of twisted nanoribbons. Using this technique, the trimer and tetramer have been synthesized and characterized by mass spectrometry.

Les nanorubans de carbone présentent aujourd’hui un grand intérêt en tant que segments de graphène aux propriétés électroniques modulables. Alors que des techniques de synthèse destructives top down donnent des rubans de très grande taille, d’autres techniques constructives bottom up, par synthèse organique, pourraient former des nanorubans bien définis de géométries contrôlées. Dans cette optique, la réaction de Scholl est un outil chimique précieux car elle permet la graphénisation de longs précurseurs flexibles de type polyphénylène.Etonnamment, des structures distordues peuvent être obtenues majoritairement même si des isomères plans moins encombrés sont a priori favorisés. Nous avons ainsi montré que contre toute attente même un encombrement stérique important n’a aucun effet notoire sur la régiosélectivité et que des composés aromatiques polycycliques courbés sont préférentiellement formés. Ainsi, des structures particulièrement tordues, tel que l’hexabenzotriphénylène (HBTP) peuvent être facilement obtenues à partir de précurseurs de type polyphénylène.Après avoir découvert cette régiosélectivité inattendue, nous en avons tiré parti pour former des composés de type polyhélicène. Plusieurs tentatives de formation de l’hexaphénanthrotriphénylène (HPTP) furent infructueuses à cause de problèmes de réactivité lors des synthèses des précurseurs flexibles correspondants. En mettant au point une stratégie de synthèse versatile fondée sur un précurseur commun, plusieurs substrats flexibles de symétrie C3 ont été synthétisés puis soumis à la réaction de Scholl. Des produits de réarrangement ont cependant été obtenus au détriment des [6]hélicènes attendus. Toutefois, un HBTP fonctionnalisé par des groupements TMS a pu être efficacement préparé, ainsi qu’un hexabenzocoronène (HBC) dont l’exceptionnelle solubilité est due à la distorsion du coeur aromatique sous l’effet des groupements encombrants situés dans les régions baie.Ce fragment [5]hélicène favorisé a enfin été incorporé dans la formulation de nanorubans de carbone tordus, alors composés d’une succession de ce motif. En tant que réactions test, les synthèses du monomère et du dimère correspondants ont été effectuées avec d’excellents rendements et les deux composés entièrement caractérisés. Leurs structures ont été déterminée par diffraction de rayons X sur monocristaux et ont fourni d’intéressantes informations complémentaires quant à leurs configurations. Une stratégie plus générale a enfin été développée et optimisée pour la synthèse systématique d’oligomères plus longs de nanorubans de carbone tordus. En utilisant cette technique les trimère et tétramère correspondants ont été synthétisés et caractérisés par spectrométrie de masse. / Carbon nanoribbons are today of great interest as graphene segments with modulable electronic properties. Whilst top down techniques give giant ribbons, bottom-up organic synthesis may lead to exactly designed nanoribbons of controlled geometries. The Scholl reaction is a precious chemical tool for that purpose since it yields efficiently to the graphitization of long and flexible polyphenylene precursors.Surprisingly, twisted structures may be obtained preferentially even if less crowded isomers are also feasible. It has been shown that, against all expectation, even a strong steric hindrance has no marked effect on regioselectivity and highly twisted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are sometimes preferentially formed, whereas their flat and more symmetrical isomers are only obtained in minority. Highly twisted structures such as hexabenzotriphenylene (HBTP) may then be obtained very easily from flexible polyphenylene precursors.After discovering this unexpected regioselectivity, we used it on purpose to form polyhelicenic species. Attempts to prepared hexaphenanthrotriphenylene (HPTP) were unsuccessful due to reactivity issues when synthesizing the corresponding flexible precursors. By using a new versatile strategy leading to an advanced common precursor, several C3-symmetrical flexible substrates have been synthesized and submitted to Scholl reaction. The expected [6]helicenes were not obtained and rearranged products were formed instead, but TMS-bearing HBTP could be prepared, as well as a hexabenzocoronene (HBC) which exceptionnal solubility is due to the distortion of the aromatic core under the effect of bulky tert-butyl substituents in bay regions.The easily formed [5]helicene fragment has been incorporated in the design of twisted carbon nanoribbons that would be composed of a succession of such motifs. As a test reaction, the corresponding monomer and dimer have been synthesized with an excellent yield and fully characterized. Their X-ray structures have even been determined, giving interesting information about their configuration. A more general strategy has then been developed and optimized for the systematic synthesis of longer oligomers of twisted nanoribbons. Using this technique, the trimer and tetramer have been synthesized and characterized by mass spectrometry.