Monolayer of h-BN chemisorbed on Cu(111) and Ni(111): The role of the transition metal 3d states

In English The role of the transition metal 3d states in the adsorption of h-BN on Cu(111) and Ni(111) has been studied by NEXAFS and PE spectroscopies and by work function measurements. Based on the analysis of drastic differences in the spectra from h-BN/Cu(111) and h-BN/Ni(111), it has been concluded that the strength of chemical bonding at the interfaces under study is determined mainly by the strength of the TM 3d-h-BN pi orbital hybridization. On Ni(111) h-BN is found to be strongly chemisorbed, while on Cu(111) only weak chemisorption is observed. On Ni(111) the h-BN monolayer is probably metallic. On Cu(111) the monolayer should possibly also be considered as metallic. however its metallic properties are much less pronounced, and the situation is somewhat uncertain.