Graphene growth on Ni (111) by CO exposure at near ambient pressure

We investigated the interaction of CO with a Ni(111) sample partially covered with carbide by Near Ambient Pressure (PCO ~ 2 mbar) X-Ray Photoemission Spectroscopy. Above 500 K we observe the formation of strongly and weakly interacting graphene in comparable amount and CO intercalation underneath the latter moiety. Above 600 K, physisorbed CO2 forms, a process which we ascribe to the onset of the Boudouard reaction under the graphene cover.