Formation of graphene on polycrystalline nickel

The results of studying the formation of graphene layers during thermal pyrolysis of methane on the surface of polycrystalline nickel are presented. The studies have been carried out using a technique that allows controlling the change in the surface topology with high spatial resolution using a scanning tunneling microscope located directly in the reaction chamber providing no contact between the formed graphene with air. The measurements have revealed the formation of graphene layers in the form of a set of nanobubbles with characteristic sizes of about 100 nm. It has been found that the local topology of the graphene layer can change under the influence of a tunneling microscope probe depending on the applied voltage.