On-surface synthesis and edge states of NBN-doped zigzag graphene nanoribbons

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Zigzag graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs) with spin-polarized edge states have potential applications in carbon-based spintronics. The electronic structure of ZGNRs can be effectively tuned by different widths or dopants, which requires delicately designed monomers. Here, we report the successful synthesis of ZGNR with a width of eight carbon zigzag lines and nitrogen-boron-nitrogen (NBN) motifs decorated along the zigzag edges (NBN-8-ZGNR) on Au (111) surface, which starts from a specially designed U-shaped monomer with preinstalled NBN units at the zigzag edge. Chemical-bond-resolved non-contact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM) imaging confirms the zigzag-terminated edges and the existence of NBN dopants. The electronic states distributed along the zigzag edges have been revealed after a silicon-layer intercalation at the interface of NBN-8-ZGNR and Au (111). Our work enriches the ZGNR family with a new dopant and larger width, which provides more candidates for future carbon-based nanoelectronic and spintronic applications. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)10436-10442
Number of pages7
JournalNano research
Volume16
Issue number7
Publication statusPublished - 26 Mar 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

WOS 000959299200003
unpaywall 10.1007/s12274-023-5605-2

Keywords

Research priority areas of TU Dresden

Keywords

  • density functional theory (DFT) calculations, edge states, nitrogen-boron-nitrogen (NBN) dopant, non-contact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), zigzag graphene nanoribbons, Zigzag graphene nanoribbons, Edge states