The effects of fecl3 intercalation on the optical properties of multilayer epitaxial graphene

In this study we investigate the effects of intercalation of graphene with Iron III Chloride on the optical and electronic properties of the multilayer graphene. While both the optical properties and the electronic properties of graphene have been previously examined, a viable method of preserving the optical properties while enhancing the electrical properties has not yet been developed. Research has been conducted into the effects of other chemical dopants such as HNO3, but the demonstrated results do not yet provide the high transparency and low sheet resistance required in a TCE. The results from our studies suggest that the decrease in the absorption of the optical wavelengths is a result of the p-doping of the graphene that excludes low energy direct optical transitions. Optical absorption is shown to be both a function of thickness and intercalation staging, as are the electrical properties. The results indicate that intercalating graphene with Iron III Chloride may be a viable method to improve the electronic characteristics of graphene without losing the desired optical properties.Committee Member/Second Reader: Kennedy, Brian; Faculty Mentor: Conrad, Edwar