Study of water adsorption on graphene edges

Abstract

Water adsorption on graphene edges was studied by field emission (FE) experiments and first principles simulation. By analyzing the FE current change with temperature, it was concluded that the intrinsic FE of a graphene edge is consistent with Fowler–Nordheim (FN) theory. The noise of IV and non-linearity of FN curves at room-temperature can be interpreted by the adsorption effects. Water is speculated as the most responsible gas specie. We have calculated the work function of graphene by VASP. The results show that water adsorption will lower the work function of the graphene edge, while increasing the work function of the graphene surface.