Atomistic features in the electrochemical potential drop across a graphene grain boundary

A recent publication presents a new computational approach to the local electrochemical potential in the vicinity of a graphene grain boundary subject to an in-plane electric current [1]. The local electrochemical potential can be measured using scanning tunneling potentiometry, a method related to scanning tunneling microscopy. The paper predicts that atomistic features should be measurable. These features reflect the local electrochemical potential drop caused by the opaque grain boundary which is non-transparent to ballistic electrons. The paper has implications not only for scanning tunneling potentiometry, but also for Kelvin probe-force microscopy which can also measure the local electrochemical potential. In addition it could help to understand electronic transport across metallic nanocontacts.