Tailoring the electronic properties of graphene by functionalization: Insights through optical and electron spectroscopy

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Since the discovery of two-dimensional and metastable graphene sheets, a dramatic increase in the research dedicated to explore its physical properties took place. This can be attributed to the two following reasons. First, graphene allows one to address basic questions of quantum electrodynamics, such as relativistic Dirac fermions or the Klein paradox in a bench-top condensed-matter experiment. Second, the nanometer size, the scalability and room-temperature ballistic transport properties make graphene a promising candidate for future nanoelectronic devices with high charge carrier mobilities and an ideal material for spintronics. In this project, the spectroscopic investigation of functionalized mono- and few-layer graphene (FLG) will be carried out using a combination of optical and electron spectroscopies as well as theoretical calculations. Particular emphasis will be paid to tailoring the electronic properties via controlled functionalization such as hydrogenation and adsorption of alkali metals and organic molecules. Controlled modification of the electronic properties of graphene is of prime importance for its applications as a transistor material, spin valve, gas sensor or molecular membrane. Our multi-disciplinary approach ensures that the results obtained will not only contribute to the understanding of doping effects but also yield valuable input for device physics based on graphene.