Monolayer of h-BN chemisorbed on Cu(111) and Ni(111):: The role of the transition metal 3d states

The role of the transition metal 3d states in the adsorption of h-BN on Cu(111) and Ni(111) has been studied by NEXAFS and PE spectroscopies and by work function measurements. Based on the analysis of drastic differences in the spectra from h-BN/Cu(111) and h-BN/Ni(111), it has been concluded that the strength of chemical bonding at the interfaces under study is determined mainly by the strength of the TM 3d-h-BN pi orbital hybridization. On Ni(111) h-BN is found to be strongly chemisorbed, while on Cu(111) only weak chemisorption is observed. On Ni(111) the h-BN monolayer is probably metallic. On Cu(111) the monolayer should possibly also be considered as metallic. however its metallic properties are much less pronounced, and the situation is somewhat uncertain. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.