arXiv subjects

Valentina Tozzini

Publications and source records attributed to Valentina Tozzini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Graphene-based technologies for energy applications, challenges and perspectives

Here we report on technology developments implemented into the Graphene Flagship European project for the integration of graphene and graphene-related materials (GRMs) into energy application devices. Many of the technologies investigated so far aim at producing composite materials associating graphene or GRMs with either metal or semiconducting nanocrystals or other carbon nanostructures (e.g., CNT, graphite). These composites can be used favourably as hydrogen storage materials or solar cell absorbers. They can also provide better performing electrodes for fuel cells, batteries, or supercapacitors. For photovoltaic (PV) electrodes, where thin layers and interface engineering are required, surface technologies are preferred. We are using conventional vacuum processes to integrate graphene as well as radically new approaches based on laser irradiation strategies. For each application, the potential of implemented technologies is then presented on the basis of selected experimental and modelling results. It is shown in particular how some of these technologies can maximize the benefit taken from GRM integration. The technical challenges still to be addressed are highlighted and perspectives derived from the running works emphasized.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

SpectraFormer: an Attention-Based Raman Unmixing Tool for Accessing the Graphene Buffer-Layer Signature on SiC

Raman spectroscopy is a key tool for graphene characterization, yet its application to graphene grown on silicon carbide (SiC) is strongly limited by the intense and variable second-order Raman response of the substrate. This limitation is critical for buffer layer graphene, a semiconducting interfacial phase, whose vibrational signatures are overlapped with the SiC background and challenging to be reliably accessed using conventional reference-based subtraction, due to strong spatial and experimental variability of the substrate signal. Here we present SpectraFormer, a transformer-based deep learning model that reconstructs the SiC Raman substrate contribution directly from post-growth partially masked spectroscopic data without relying on explicit reference measurements. By learning global correlations across the entire Raman shift range, the model captures the statistical structure of the SiC background and enables accurate reconstruction of its contribution in mixed spectra. Subtraction of the reconstructed substrate signal reveals weak vibrational features associated with ZLG that are inaccessible through conventional analysis methods. The extracted spectra are validated by ab initio vibrational calculations, allowing assignment of the resolved features to specific modes and confirming their physical consistency. By leveraging a state-of-the-art attention-based deep learning architecture, this approach establishes a robust, reference-free framework for Raman analysis of graphene on SiC and provides a foundation, compatible with real-time data acquisition, to its integration into automated, closed-loop AI-assisted growth optimization.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

The $\beta$-decay spectrum of Tritiated graphene: combining nuclear quantum mechanics with Density Functional Theory

We present the results of a multi-methodological study aimed at investigating the interaction between graphene and Tritium during its $\beta$-decay to Helium, under different levels of loading and geometrical configurations. We combine Density Functional Theory (DFT), to evaluate the interaction potentials, with calculations of the decay rate, in order to study the consequences that the presence of the substrate has on the $\beta$-decay spectrum of Tritium. We determine the shape of the event rate, accounting for the effects of (part of) the corresponding condensed matter degrees of freedom. In the context of future neutrino experiments, our results provide important information aimed at the optimization of hosting material, as well as the determination of the physics reach. Furthermore, our work outlines a novel theoretical and computational scheme to address a question at the boundary between high and low energy physics. This requires non-conventional declinations of DFT combined with full quantum treatments of the nuclear configuration involved in the decay process.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Deterministic Covalent Organic Functionalization of Monolayer Graphene with 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Via High Resolution Surface Engineering

Spatially-resolved organic functionalization of monolayer graphene is successfully achieved by combining low-energy electron beam irradiation with 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylide. Indeed, the modification of the graphene honeycomb lattice obtained via electron beam irradiation yields to a local increase of the graphene chemical reactivity. As a consequence, thanks to the high-spatially resolved generation of structural defects (~ 100 nm), chemical reactivity patterning has been designed over the graphene surface in a well-controlled way. Atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy allow to investigate the two-dimensional spatial distribution of the structural defects and the new features that arise from the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, confirming the spatial selectivity of the graphene functionalization achieved via defect engineering. The Raman signature of the functionalized graphene is investigated both experimentally and via ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, computing the power spectrum. Furthermore, the organic functionalization is shown to be reversible thanks to the desorption of the azomethine ylide induced by focused laser irradiation. The selective and reversible functionalization of high quality graphene using 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition is a significant step towards the controlled synthesis of graphene-based complex structures and devices at the nanoscale.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Covalent Organic Functionalization of Graphene Nanosheets and Reduced Graphene Oxide via 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylide

Organic functionalization of graphene is successfully performed via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylide in the liquid phase. The comparison between 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone and N,N-dimethylformamide as dispersant solvents, and between sonication and homogenization as dispersion techniques, proves N,N-dimethylformamide and homogenization as the most effective choice. The functionalization of graphene nanosheets and reduced graphene oxide is confirmed using different techniques. Among them, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy allows to map the pyrrolidine ring of the azomethine ylide on the surface of functionalized graphene, while micro-Raman spectroscopy detects new features arising from the functionalization, which are described in agreement with the power spectrum obtained from ab initio molecular dynamics simulation. Moreover, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy of functionalized graphene allows the quantitative elemental analysis and the estimation of the surface coverage, showing a higher degree of functionalization for reduced graphene oxide. This more reactive behavior originates from the localization of partial charges on its surface due to the presence of oxygen defects, as shown by the simulation of the electrostatic features. Functionalization of graphene using 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition is shown to be a significant step towards the controlled synthesis of graphene-based complex structures and devices at the nanoscale.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Structural transition states explored with minimalist coarse grained models: applications to Calmodulin

Transitions between different conformational states are ubiquitous in proteins, being involved in signaling, catalysis and other fundamental activities in cells. However, modeling those processes is extremely difficult, due to the need of efficiently exploring a vast conformational space in order to seek for the actual transition path for systems whose complexity is already high in the steady states. Here we report a strategy that simplifies this task attacking the complexity on several sides. We first apply a minimalist coarse-grained model to Calmodulin, based on an empirical force field with a partial structural bias, to explore the transition paths between the apo-closed state and the Ca-bound open state of the protein. We then select representative structures along the trajectory based on a structural clustering algorithm and build a cleaned-up trajectory with them. We finally compare this trajectory with that produced by the online tool MinActionPath, by minimizing the action integral using a harmonic network model, and with that obtained by the PROMPT morphing method, based on an optimal mass transportation-type approach including physical constraints. The comparison is performed both on the structural and energetic level, using the coarse-grained and the atomistic force fields upon reconstruction. Our analysis indicates that this method returns trajectories capable of exploring intermediate states with physical meaning, retaining a very low computational cost, which can allow systematic and extensive exploration of the multi-stable proteins transition pathways.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2019

Superlubricity of epitaxial monolayer WS2 on graphene

We report on the superlubric sliding of monolayer tungsten disulfide (WS2) on epitaxial graphene (EG) on silicon carbide (SiC). WS2 single-crystalline flakes with lateral size of hundreds of nanometers are obtained via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on EG and microscopic and diffraction analyses indicate that the WS2/EG stack is predominantly aligned with zero azimuthal rotation. Our experimental findings show that the WS2 flakes are prone to slide over graphene surfaces at room temperature when perturbed by a scanning probe microscopy (SPM) tip. Atomistic force field based molecular dynamics simulations indicate that through local physical deformation of the WS2 flake, the scanning tip releases enough energy to the flake to overcome the motion activation barrier and to trigger an ultra-low friction roto-translational displacement, that is superlubric. Experimental observations indicate that after the sliding, the WS2 flakes rest with a rotation of npi/3 with respect to graphene. Atomically resolved investigations show that the interface is atomically sharp and that the WS2 lattice is strain-free. These results help to shed light on nanotribological phenomena in van der Waals (vdW) heterostacks and suggest that the applicative potential of the WS2/graphene heterostructure can be extended by novel mechanical prospects.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Intrinsic structural and electronic properties of the Buffer Layer on Silicon Carbide unraveled by Density Functional Theory

The buffer carbon layer obtained in the first instance by evaporation of Si from the Si-rich surfaces of silicon carbide (SiC) is often studied only as the intermediate to the synthesis of SiC supported graphene. In this work, we explore its intrinsic potentialities, addressing its structural and electronic properties by means Density Functional Theory. While the system of corrugation crests organized in a honeycomb super-lattice of nano-metric side returned by calculations is compatible with atomic microscopy observations, our work reveals some possible alternative symmetries, which might coexist in the same sample. The electronic structure analysis reveals the presence of an electronic gap of ~0.7eV. In-gap states are present, localized over the crests, while near-gap states reveal very different structure and space localization, being either bonding states or outward pointing p orbitals and unsaturated Si dangling bonds. On one hand, he presence of these interface states was correlated with the n-doping of the monolayer graphene subsequently grown on the buffer. On the other hand, the correlation between their chemical character and their space localization is likely to produce a differential reactivity towards specific functional groups with a spatial regular modulation at the nano-scale, opening perspectives for a finely controlled chemical functionalization.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Multistable rippling of graphene on SiC: A Density Functional Theory study

Graphene monolayer grown by Si evaporation from the 0001 surface of SiC displays a moiré pattern of corrugation whose structure is ambiguous: different measurements and theoretical studies show either protruding bumps surrounded by valleys, or, reversely, wells surrounded by crests. Here we address the fine structure of monolayer graphene on SiC by means of Density Functional Theory, using a model including the full symmetry of the system and the substrate (1648 atoms) and therefore realistically reproducing the experimental sample. We find that accurate treatment of the vdW interactions between monolayer and the underlying substrate-bound buffer layer is crucial in stabilizing one or the opposite corrugation pattern, which explain the different results and measurement available in the literature. Our study indicates that at low temperature a state more closely following the topography of the underneath buffer layer is stabilized, while others are metastable. Since environmental conditions (e.g. temperature or doping) can influence the vdW forces and reduce the energy differences, this system is prone to externally driven switching between different (opposite) corrugation states. In turn, corrugation is related to local reactivity and to electronic properties of graphene. This opens to potentially interesting applications in nano-electronics or tailored graphene chemical functionalization.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Revealing the nature of defects in quasi free standing mono-layer graphene on SiC(0001) by means of Density Functional Theory

Quasi free standing monolayer graphene (QFMLG) grown on SiC by selective Si evaporation from the Si-rich SiC(0001) face and H intercalation displays irregularities in STM and AFM analysis, appearing as localized features, which we previously identified as vacancies in the H layer coverage [Y Murata, et al. Nano Res, in press, DOI: 10.1007/s12274-017-1697-x]. The size, shape, brightness, location, and concentration of these features, however, are variable, depending on the hydrogenation conditions. In order to shed light on the nature of these features, in this work we perform a systematic Density Functional Theory study on the structural and electronic properties of QFMLG with defects in the H coverage arranged in different configurations including up to 13 vacant H atoms, and show that these generate localized electronic states with specific electronic structure. Based on the comparison of simulated and measured STM images we are able to associate different vacancies of large size (7-13 missing H) to the different observed features. The presence of large vacancies is in agreement with the tendency of single H vacancies to aggregate, as demonstrated here by DFT results. This gives some hints into the hydrogenation process. Our work unravels the structural diversity of defects of H coverage in QFMLG and provides operative ways to interpret the variety in the STM images. The energy of the localized states generated by these vacancies is tunable by means of their size and shape, suggesting applications in nano- and opto-electronics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Electronic properties of WS$_2$ on epitaxial graphene on SiC(0001)

This work reports an electronic and micro-structural study of an appealing system for optoelectronics: tungsten disulphide WS$_2$ on epitaxial graphene (EG) on SiC(0001). The WS$_2$ is grown via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) onto the EG. Low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) measurements assign the zero-degree orientation as the preferential azimuthal alignment for WS$_2$/EG. The valence-band (VB) structure emerging from this alignment is investigated by means of photoelectron spectroscopy measurements, with both high space and energy resolution. We find that the spin-orbit splitting of monolayer WS$_2$ on graphene is of 462 meV, larger than what is reported to date for other substrates. We determine the value of the work function for the WS$_2$/EG to be 4.5$\pm$0.1 eV. A large shift of the WS$_2$ VB maximum is observed as well , due to the lowering of the WS$_2$ work function caused by the donor-like interfacial states of EG. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations carried out on a coincidence supercell confirm the experimental band structure to an excellent degree. X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (XPEEM) measurements performed on single WS$_2$ crystals confirm the van der Waals nature of the interface coupling between the two layers. In virtue of its band alignment and large spin-orbit splitting, this system gains strong appeal for optical spin-injection experiments and opto-spintronic applications in general.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Collective mode mining from molecular dynamics simulations: a comparative approach

The evaluation of collective modes is fundamental in the analysis of molecular dynamics simulations. Several methods are available to extract that information, i.e normal mode analysis, principal component and spectral analysis of trajectories, basically differing by the quantity considered as the nodal one (frequency, amplitude, or pattern of displacement) and leading to the definition of different kinds of collective excitations and physical spectral observables. Different views converge in the harmonic regime and/or for homo-atomic systems. However, for anharmonic and out of equilibrium dynamics different quantities bring different information and only their comparison can give a complete view of the system behavior. To allow such a comparative analysis, we review and compare the different approaches, applying them in different combination to two examples of physical relevance: graphene and fullerene C60.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2017

Atomic and Electronic Structure of Si Dangling Bonds in Quasi-Free-Standing Monolayer Graphene

Si dangling bonds without H termination at the interface of quasi-free standing monolayer graphene (QFMLG) are known scattering centers that can severely affect carrier mobility. In this report, we study the atomic and electronic structure of Si dangling bonds in QFMLG using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Two types of defects with different contrast were observed on a flat terrace by STM and AFM. Their STM contrast varies with bias voltage. In STS, they showed characteristic peaks at different energies, 1.1 and 1.4 eV. Comparison with DFT calculations indicates that they correspond to clusters of 3 and 4 Si dangling bonds, respectively. The relevance of these results for the optimization of graphene synthesis is discussed.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

Morphing graphene-based systems for applications: perspectives from simulations

Graphene, the one-atom-thick sp2 hybridized carbon crystal, displays unique electronic, structural and mechanical properties, which promise a large number of interesting applications in diverse high tech fields. Many of these applications require its functionalization, e.g. with substitution of carbon atoms or adhesion of chemical species, creation of defects, modification of structure of morphology, to open electronic band gap to use it in electronics, or to create 3D frameworks for volumetric applications. Understanding the morphology-properties relationship is the first step to efficiently functionalize graphene. Therefore a great theoretical effort has been recently devoted to model graphene in different conditions and with different approaches involving different level of accuracy and resolution. Here we review the modeling approaches to graphene systems, with a special focus on atomistic level methods, but extending our analysis onto coarser scales. We illustrate the methods by means of applications with possible potential impact.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Revealing the multi-bonding state between hydrogen and graphene-supported Ti clusters

Hydrogen adsorption on graphene-supported metal clusters has brought much controversy due to the complex nature of the bonding between hydrogen and metal clusters. The bond types of hydrogen and graphene-supported Ti clusters are experimentally and theoretically investigated. Transmission electron microscopy shows that Ti clusters of nanometer-size are formed on graphene. Thermal desorption spectroscopy captures three hydrogen desorption peaks from hydrogenated graphene-supported Ti clusters. First principle calculations also found three types of interaction: Two types of bonds with different partial ionic character and physisorption. The physical origin for this rests on the charge state of the Ti clusters: when Ti clusters are neutral, H2 is dissociated, and H forms bonds with the Ti cluster. On the other hand, H2 is adsorbed in molecular form on positively charged Ti clusters, resulting in physisorption. Thus, this work clarifies the bonding mechanisms of hydrogen on graphene-supported Ti clusters.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2014

Hydrogen storage in rippled graphene: perspectives from multi-scale simulations

Exploring new perspectives for green technologies is one of the challenges of the third millennium, in which the need for non-polluting and renewable powering has become primary. In this context, the use of hydrogen as a fuel is promising, since the energy released in its oxidation (~285 kJ/mole) is three times that released, on average, by hydrocarbons, and the combustion product is water (Ramage, 1983). Being hydrogen a vector of chemical energy, efficient conservation and non-dispersive transportation are the main goals. Three issues must be considered to this respect: (i) storage capacity (ii) storage stability (iii) kinetics of loading/release. Commercial technologies are currently based on cryo-compression or liquefaction of H2 in tanks. These ensure quite a high gravimetric density (GD, point (i)), namely 8-13% in weight of stored hydrogen, and a relatively low cost (Züttel 2003). However concerning points (ii) and (iii), these technologies pose problems of safety, mainly due to explosive flammability of hydrogen, and consequent unpractical conditions for transportation and use (Mori et al 2009). Therefore, research efforts are directed towards solid-state based storage systems (energy.gov, Bonaccorso et al 2015).

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Hydrogen transport within graphene multilayers by means of flexural phonons

Graphene sustains transverse out-of-plane mechanical vibrations (flexural phonons). At the nanometer scale, these appear as travelling ripples, or cavities, if excited in counter-phase in alternate multilayers. In this work we explore by means of classical molecular dynamics simulations the possibility of using these moving nano-cavities to actively transport hydrogen. We find that the gas can be efficiently transported for hundreds of nanometers in the wave propagation direction, before the phonons damp down. Therefore, this effect could be used to move and pump gases through multilayers graphene based frameworks.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2013

The Influence of Graphene Curvature on Hydrogen Adsorption: Towards Hydrogen Storage Devices

The ability of atomic hydrogen to chemisorb on graphene makes the latter a promising material for hydrogen storage. Based on scanning tunneling microscopy techniques, we report on site-selective adsorption of atomic hydrogen on convexly curved regions of monolayer graphene grown on SiC(0001). This system exhibits an intrinsic curvature owing to the interaction with the substrate. We show that at low coverage hydrogen is found on convex areas of the graphene lattice. No hydrogen is detected on concave regions. These findings are in agreement with theoretical models which suggest that both binding energy and adsorption barrier can be tuned by controlling the local curvature of the graphene lattice. This curvature-dependence combined with the known graphene flexibility may be exploited for storage and controlled release of hydrogen at room temperature making it a valuable candidate for the implementation of hydrogen-storage devices.

physics.chem-ph↗