Scalable Synthesis and Stabilization of Fluorinated Bilayer Graphene Toward F-Diamane Architectures

Diamane, a two-dimensional analog of diamond, combines the exceptional thermal, mechanical, and electronic properties of bulk diamond with the band structure tunability of ultrathin quantum-confined materials, offering a promising platform for next-generation nanoelectronic and quantum devices. In this talk, we will present our investigations into the synthesis of fluorinated bilayer graphene (F-diamane) via a chemically induced phase transformation driven by XeF₂ chemistry. In this process, sp²-bonded bilayer graphene is converted into sp³-bonded diamane over the centimeter scale, as evidenced by XPS and Raman spectroscopy. The effects of substrate and reaction conditions on the sp²-to-sp³ transformation kinetics are elucidated. We also uncover the stability of diamane in different chemical and thermal environments. Charge transport measurements of the F-diamane films will also be presented. Beyond graphene, we will demonstrate that this scalable fluorination route also provides a path for functionalizing other wide-bandgap materials surfaces for future electronic, optoelectronic, and catalytic applications.