A simple synthesis and characterization procedure for graphene growth on Ru(0001) is demonstrated. Only a sample heating setup and mass spectrometer (or residual gas analyzer) are required. In addition, sample stability at ambient conditions (in air) was tested. Furthermore, benzene adsorption on graphene/Ru(0001) was characterized by thermal desorption spectroscopy and compared with earlier experiments and theory on carbon nanotubes and highly-oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). In addition, Auger and Xray photoelectron spectroscopy were used. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.