Anomalous bond of monolayer graphite on transition-metal carbide surfaces

Abstract

The phonon structure of monolayer graphite formed on some transition-metal carbides has been investigated by using electron-energy-loss spectroscopy. The dispersion relations of the phonons in the monolayer graphite have indicated peculiar softening in intralayer chemical bonds and considerable bonding between the overlayer and the substrate. This modification can be ascribed to the electron transfer from the substrate into the ${\mathrm{\pi }}^{\mathrm{-}}$ band of the graphite.