Monolayer graphene can be grown on, or transferred to, a variety of crystalline metal surfaces.  The interaction between the graphene and the metal substrate varies significantly depending on the substrate material, and on the alignment of the graphene relative to the substrate crystallographic orientation.  The formation of moir√© patterns is one outcome of the rotational orientation.  Here we focus on another recent observation: the influence of the graphene layer on the presence of surface facets.  In examining the surface topography of copper and palladium substrates partially covered by monolayer graphene, we note that surface steps are common under the graphene, even when absent in regions that are uncovered. Based on a theoretical analysis of the surface, and complementary results from molecular dynamics simulations, we conclude that the graphene promotes the stability of the surface faceting.  We show that the mass transport along the surface of the metal is significantly suppressed by the graphene, explaining the relative persistence of the surface facets at high temperature and over long time scales.  This explanation is at odds with other proposed models for the effects of graphene on step-bunching, but explains a number of our experimental observations, and has implications for graphene synthesis and the design of composite materials with enhanced mechanical properties. 

Graphene enhancement of surface faceting on metal substrates

The Virtual Technical Meeting of the Society of Engineering Science 2020 is the first fully virtual meeting of the SES community to envision and connect during the hiatus created by Covid-19, providing a platform for the exchange of ideas, and to showcase the latest research in the field of engineering science.

[Visit the Programme](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BoCPBzrr1IQFANuzQI8a-paXCJoOcCkB/view?usp=sharing) | [Visit the Prerecorded Video/Poster List](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XHLeEXJxEFjCSsNScuLDfMwy1X7oy7oJ/view?usp=sharing) | [View the Session Grid](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VeDOC-Ev5m_ymYjXnjaXSZHR3_DARiLt/view?usp=sharing)