The $β$-decay spectrum of Tritiated graphene: combining nuclear quantum mechanics with Density Functional Theory
Authors:
Andrea Casale,
Angelo Esposito,
Guido Menichetti,
Valentina Tozzini
Abstract:
We present the results of a multi-methodological study aimed at investigating the interaction between graphene and Tritium during its $β$-decay to Helium, under different levels of loading and geometrical configurations. We combine Density Functional Theory (DFT), to evaluate the interaction potentials, with calculations of the decay rate, in order to study the consequences that the presence of th…
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We present the results of a multi-methodological study aimed at investigating the interaction between graphene and Tritium during its $β$-decay to Helium, under different levels of loading and geometrical configurations. We combine Density Functional Theory (DFT), to evaluate the interaction potentials, with calculations of the decay rate, in order to study the consequences that the presence of the substrate has on the $β$-decay spectrum of Tritium. We determine the shape of the event rate, accounting for the effects of (part of) the corresponding condensed matter degrees of freedom. In the context of future neutrino experiments, our results provide important information aimed at the optimization of hosting material, as well as the determination of the physics reach. Furthermore, our work outlines a novel theoretical and computational scheme to address a question at the boundary between high and low energy physics. This requires non-conventional declinations of DFT combined with full quantum treatments of the nuclear configuration involved in the decay process.
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Submitted 4 June, 2026; v1 submitted 17 April, 2025;
originally announced April 2025.
Stability of Highly Hydrogenated Monolayer Graphene in Ultra-High Vacuum and in Air
Authors:
Alice Apponi,
Orlando Castellano,
Daniele Paoloni,
Domenica Convertino,
Neeraj Mishra,
Camilla Coletti,
Andrea Casale,
Luca Cecchini,
Alfredo G. Cocco,
Benedetta Corcione,
Nicola D'Ambrosio,
Angelo Esposito,
Marcello Messina,
Francesco Pandolfi,
Francesca Pofi,
Ilaria Rago,
Nicola Rossi,
Sammar Tayyab,
Ravi Prakash Yadav,
Federico Virzi,
Carlo Mariani,
Gianluca Cavoto,
Alessandro Ruocco
Abstract:
The stability of hydrogenated monolayer graphene was investigated via X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) for two different environmental conditions: ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and ambient pressure. The study is carried out by measuring the C 1s line shape evolution for two hydrogenated samples one kept in the UHV chamber and the other progressively exposed to air. In particular, the $sp^3$ relati…
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The stability of hydrogenated monolayer graphene was investigated via X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) for two different environmental conditions: ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and ambient pressure. The study is carried out by measuring the C 1s line shape evolution for two hydrogenated samples one kept in the UHV chamber and the other progressively exposed to air. In particular, the $sp^3$ relative intensity in the C 1s core-level spectrum, represented by the area ratio $\frac{sp^3}{sp^2+sp^3}$, was used as a marker for the hydrogenation-level. After four months in UHV, it resulted almost unchanged within the experimental uncertainty. Thus, a long-term stability of hydrogenated monolayer graphene was found, that indicates this material as a good candidate for hydrogen (or tritium) storage as long as it is kept in vacuum. On the other hand, the C 1s spectrum of the sample exposed to air shows a significant oxidation. A rapid growth up to saturation of the carbon oxides was observed with a time constant $τ$ = 2.8 $\pm$ 1.2 hours. Finally, the re-exposure of the oxidised sample to atomic hydrogen was found to be an effective method for the recovery of hydrogenated graphene. The CH stretching mode was measured via electron energy loss spectroscopy as direct footprint of hydrogenated graphene recovery.
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Submitted 28 January, 2026; v1 submitted 16 April, 2025;
originally announced April 2025.