Multilayer graphene grown by precipitation upon cooling of nickel on diamond

Multilayer graphene is grown by precipitation upon cooling of a thin nickel film deposited by e-beam evaporation on single crystal diamond (001) oriented substrates. Nickel acts as a strong catalyst inducing the dissolution of carbon from diamond into the metal. Carbon segregation produces multilayers of graphene on the top surface. Characterization by Raman spectroscopy reveals that these thin layers display relatively narrow Raman phonon peaks that are typically associated with graphene. Atomic force microscope measurements reveal a multigrain structure that reproduces small domains in the nickel film. The multilayer graphene is transferred onto a optical microscope glass slide for further analysis. The thickness of the layers estimated from optical transmission measurements is 12 nm. The catalytic reaction found for nickel on diamond is not observed when glassy carbon is used as substrate. This method provides a venue for the fabrication of large area graphene films.This work is supported by ONR (N000140610138 and Graphene Muri), NSF (CHE-0117752 and CHE-0641523), NYSTAR, CSIC-PIF (200950I154), Spanish CAM (Q&C Light (S2009ESP-1503), Numancia 2 (S2009/ENE-1477)), Spanish MICINN (NANINPHO-QD, TEC2008-06756-C03-01, Consolider QOIT (CSD2006-0019), Consolider GENESIS MEC (CSD2006-0004) and Salvador de Madariaga Grant No. PR2007-0036).Peer reviewe