In order to reveal the shape evolution of graphene domains on copper surfaces during chemical vapour deposition, a combinative study was performed on the chemical vapour deposition growth of graphene on copper surfaces. To identify the factors that influence the adsorption and diffusion of carbon atoms and further determine the domain shape, simulations based upon kinetic Monte Carlo techniques were carried out. The results revealed the dependence of the graphene domain shapes upon the crystalline orientation of the underlying copper substrate surfaces.

Topology Evolution of Graphene in Chemical Vapour Deposition, a Combined Theoretical/Experimental Approach Toward Shape Control of Graphene Domains. L.Fan, J.Zou, Z.Li, X.Li, K.Wang, J.Wei, M.Zhong, D.Wu, Z.Xu, H.Zhu: Nanotechnology, 2012, 23[11], 115605