A graphite nanoeraser

Nanotechnology. 2011 Jul 1;22(26):265706. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/22/26/265706. Epub 2011 May 17.

Abstract

We present here a method for cleaning intermediate-size (up to 50 nm) contamination from highly oriented pyrolytic graphite and graphene. Electron-beam-induced deposition of carbonaceous material on graphene and graphite surfaces inside a scanning electron microscope, which is difficult to remove by conventional techniques, can be removed by direct mechanical wiping using a graphite nanoeraser, thus drastically reducing the amount of contamination. We discuss potential applications of this cleaning procedure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't