Chemical functionalization of epitaxial graphene on SiC using tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine

Ideal undisturbed functionalized epitaxial graphene on SiC was examined by angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy, scanning photoemission microscopy and atomic force microscope. The surface was prepared by non-covalently attaching tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)-porphine(TCPP) on the surface. This material performs well as a chemically very sensitive and thermally very stable template. The adsorbed TCPP layer does not disturb the intrinsic physical properties of the graphene. A patterned Al2O3 layer can be easily produced by preparing a pre-patterned TCPP on the graphene surface. [Display omitted] ► An epitaxial graphene was functionalized by attaching TCPP on the surface. ► The TCPP layer performs well as a chemically very sensitive template. ► The TCPP layer does not disturb the intrinsic physical properties of the graphene. ► A patterned Al2O3 can be easily produced by a pre-patterned TCPP on the graphene.