Intercalation of iridium atoms into a graphene layer on a metal

The intercalation of iridium atoms into a graphene (two-dimensional graphite) layer on a metal substrate (iridium (111) crystal face) has been studied. It is established that a thin film of iridium deposited at room temperature onto the graphene surface in a vacuum is completely destroyed on heating to 1000–1200 K and iridium atoms pass to an intercalated state between the graphene layer and the substrate. Vacuum deposition of iridium directly onto a heated sample of graphene/Ir(111) at 1000–1500 K leads to the accumulation of Ir atoms only in the intercalated state, while the outer surface of graphene remains free of the adsorbate.