Abstract
We demonstrate and monitor an efficient edge reconstruction process, at the atomic scale, for graphite nanoribbons by Joule heating inside an integrated transmission electron microscope equipped with a scanning tunneling stage STM (TEM-STM system). During Joule annealing, sharp edges and step-edge arrays are formed, mostly with either zigzag or armchair edge configurations. Their formation is driven by both thermal and electric field related mechanisms. Model calculations show that the dominant annealing mechanisms involve point defect annealing and edge reconstruction. Joule heating is thus shown to provide an effective way to produce clean zigzag and armchair edges, which could be useful for both fundamental studies of edge reactivity, magnetism, and could provide a route for increasing carrier mobility and for the development of future electronics applications.
