Moiré pattern at graphene/Al (111) interface: Experiment and simulation

Abstract Moire pattern periodicity associated with interface interaction that reflects intrinsic interface characteristics strongly affects the electronic/chemical/mechanical properties in numerous metal/graphene systems. Despite intensive researches were conducted on graphene/Al composites, however, no moire patterns have ever been reported in their graphene/Al interfaces. In the present study, through vacuum arc melting and suction casting technique, moire pattern with unexpected large periodicity of ~8.9 nm has been observed at graphene/Al (111) interface for the first time. The moire pattern periodicity with respect to rotation orientation angle was evaluated by theoretical calculation; and the formation process of the moire pattern was investigated via molecular dynamics simulations. Thermal stress stimulated interface rotational growth was proposed to play a dominating role and a tentative interface interaction analysis concerned on the unusual moire pattern at the graphene/Al (111) interface was illustrated. The experiments along with theoretical and simulation study focused on the moire pattern formed at graphene/Al interface may path a way to tailor interface structures of graphene/metal materials systems