The atomic and electronic structure of the lattice-mismatched $h\text{−}\mathrm{B}\mathrm{N}∕\mathrm{Pt}\left(111\right)$ and $h\text{−}\mathrm{B}\mathrm{N}∕\mathrm{Rh}\left(111\right)$ interfaces formed by pyrolitic reactions with vaporized borazine has been studied by low-energy electron diffraction, scanning tunneling microscopy, x-ray-absorption spectroscopy, and core-level and valence-band photoemission. It has been found that on Pt(111), $h\text{−}\mathrm{B}\mathrm{N}$ forms a nearly flat monolayer, insignificantly corrugated across the supercell. On Rh(111), $h\text{−}\mathrm{B}\mathrm{N}$ grows in form of a nanomesh, as originally observed by Corso et al. [Science 303, 217 (2004)]. The structural difference between the $h\text{−}\mathrm{B}\mathrm{N}∕\mathrm{Pt}\left(111\right)$ and $h\text{−}\mathrm{B}\mathrm{N}∕\mathrm{Rh}\left(111\right)$ interfaces is associated with the strength of chemical interaction between $h\text{−}\mathrm{B}\mathrm{N}$ and the substrate surface. A stronger orbital hybridization on Rh(111) results in a stronger attraction of the monolayer to the metal surface at favorable adsorption sites resulting in a highly corrugated structure (nanomesh). It has been shown that the electronic structure of the outer (elevated) and inner (attracted to the surface) nanomesh sites is very different as a result of different chemical bonding to the substrate (weak and strong, respectively).

• Received 16 December 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.75.245412