Atomic Structure Analysis of Metal Chlorides and Alkali Metals Intercalated in Bilayer Graphene

Intercalation of metal species within graphene layers has attracted significant attention due to its potential for tailoring the electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of graphene-based materials. The precise characterization of the intercalation process and resulting atomic arrangements is crucial for understanding the fundamental interactions and the impact on material properties. In this study, we employ scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) to investigate the atomic structure of metal chlorides (AlCl3, CuCl2, MoCl5, FeCl3) and alkali metals (K, Rb, Cs) intercalated in bilayer graphene (BLG). Through STEM imaging, we have achieved high-resolution visualization and analysis of the atomic structure within the intercalated BLG samples. Our results reveal distinct patterns and arrangements of metal chloride and alkali metal atoms within the graphene lattice. We observe variations in interlayer spacing, local bonding configurations, and atomic ordering depending on the specific metal chloride and alkali metal employed. Additionally, we investigate the influence of intercalation on the electronic structure of the bilayer graphene using spectroscopic techniques.