The dynamics of Fe intercalation on pure and nitrogen doped graphene grown on Pt(111) probed by CO adsorption

In this paper we compare by temperature programmed desorption the intercalation rate of Fe nanoparticles supported on pure and nitrogen doped graphene grown on Pt (111). Carbon monoxide desorption from Fe sites is used to probe the overall quantity of Fe present onto the graphene surface. We do not observe any appreciable difference of CO desorption temperature induced by N functionalities of graphene; however we notice a faster intercalation for Fe nanoparticles deposited on N-doped graphene with respect the those supported on pure graphene. We relate this phenomenon to nanoholes created by pyridinic and pyrrolic functionalities and/or to the lower bond enthalpy of CN with respect to CC bonds. Scanning tunneling microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are used as complementary techniques to identify the N functionalities and to characterize the morphological defectivity of the graphene films.