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Single Atoms as Growth Directors: From Graphene Edges to Atomically Precise Interfaces in 2D Materials.
Alicja Bachmatiuk1,2,3, Mark H Rümmeli1,3,4,5
1Electron Beam Emergent Additive Manufacturing (EBEAM) Centre, Centre for Nanotechnology (CNT), Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies (CEET), VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 15, Ostrava 70800, Czech Republic.
ACS Nano
|July 1, 2026
Summary
Single atoms act as precise growth directors, not just reactive sites, guiding the formation of 2D materials like graphene and heterostructures with atomic accuracy. This research reframes their role in material synthesis and design.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Single-atom catalysts are typically viewed as isolated reactive sites for chemical reactions.
- Their potential role in directing material growth at the atomic scale is less explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reframe the role of single atoms as precise growth directors in 2D material synthesis.
- To distill mechanistic insights from graphene growth and extend them to emerging heterostructures.
- To outline criteria for identifying single-atom-directed growth for rational design.
Main Methods:
- Advanced scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and scanning/transmission electron microscopy (STEM) for tracking atomic configurations during growth.
- First-principles calculations to investigate the influence of single atoms (e.g., Molybdenum) on nucleation and growth pathways.
- Analysis of kinetic barriers and feeding species (e.g., diatomic carbon, BN dimers) in heterostructure formation.
Main Results:
- Experimental evidence from graphene growth demonstrates single atoms biasing nucleation and steering incorporation events.
- First-principles studies suggest transition-metal single atoms can promote productive feeding species and lower kinetic barriers.
- Single atoms influence boundary chemistry and early-stage morphology with precision beyond nanoparticles.
Conclusions:
- Single atoms function as atomic-scale directors, precisely controlling nucleation and growth pathways.
- This directed growth mechanism is crucial for creating atomically precise 2D interfaces and heterostructures.
- Understanding single-atom-directed growth enables rational design of novel 2D materials.
