Multilayer graphitic coatings for thermal stabilization of metallic nanostructures

We demonstrate that graphitic coatings, which consist of multilayer disordered graphene sheets, can be used for the thermal protection of delicate metal nanostructures. We studied cobalt slanted nanopillars grown by glancing angle deposition that were shown to melt at temperatures much lower than the melting point of bulk cobalt. After graphitic coatings were conformally grown over the surfaces of Co nanopillars by chemical vapor deposition, the resulting carbon-coated Co nanostructures retained their morphology at elevated temperatures, which would damage the uncoated structures. Thermal stabilization is also demonstrated for carbon-coated Ti nanopillars. The results of this study may be extended to other metallic and possibly even nonmetallic nanostructures that need to preserve their morphology at elevated temperatures in a broad range of applications.