Monolayer of h-BN chemisorbed on Cu(1 1 1) and Ni(1 1 1): The role of the transition metal 3d states

The role of the transition metal 3d states in the adsorption of h-BN on Cu(1 1 1) and Ni(1 1 1) has been studied by NEXAFS and PE spectroscopies and by work function measurements. Based on the analysis of drastic differences in the spectra from h-BN/Cu(1 1 1) and h-BN/Ni(1 1 1), it has been concluded that the strength of chemical bonding at the interfaces under study is determined mainly by the strength of the TM 3d–h-BN π orbital hybridization. On Ni(1 1 1) h-BN is found to be strongly chemisorbed, while on Cu(1 1 1) only weak chemisorption is observed. On Ni(1 1 1) the h-BN monolayer is probably metallic. On Cu(1 1 1) the monolayer should possibly also be considered as metallic, however its metallic properties are much less pronounced, and the situation is somewhat uncertain.