P-Type Doping of Graphene Films by Hybridization with Nickel Nanoparticles

Abstract

Here, we demonstrate the decoration of Ni nanoparticles (NPs) on graphene films by simple annealing for p-type doping of graphene. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy revealed that high-density, uniformly sized Ni NPs were formed on the graphene films. The density of the Ni NPs increased gradually, whereas the size of the Ni NPs decreased with increasing NiCl 2 ·6H 2 O solution concentration. The formation of Ni NPs on graphene films was explained by heat-driven dechlorination and subsequent nano-particlization, as investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The doping effect of Ni NPs onto graphene films was verified by Raman spectroscopy and electrical transport measurements. This method may provide a facile and universal way to obtain metal NPs on graphene if the metal forms a compound with Cl.