Porphyrin-Functionalized Graphene Nanoribbons in Solution Phase

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Yucheng Yin - , Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Author)
  • Fugui Xu - , Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Author)
  • Mateusz Wlazło - , University of Warsaw (Author)
  • Yu Chen - , ShanghaiTech University (Author)
  • Guanzhao Wen - , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Author)
  • Gangamallaiah Velpula - , KU Leuven (Author)
  • Steffen Böckmann - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Michael Ryan Hansen - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Steven De Feyter - , KU Leuven (Author)
  • Kunal S. Mali - , KU Leuven (Author)
  • Weimin Liu - , ShanghaiTech University (Author)
  • Silvio Osella - , University of Warsaw (Author)
  • Mischa Bonn - , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Author)
  • Hai I. Wang - , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Utrecht University (Author)
  • Klaus Müllen - , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Author)
  • Xinliang Feng - , Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed), Chair of Molecular Functional Materials (gB MPI-MSP), Chair of Molecular Functional Materials (cfaed) (Author)
  • Yiyong Mai - , Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Author)

Abstract

Structurally defined graphene nanoribbons (sd-GNRs) have gained attention due to their alluring physical properties and potential applications in optoelectronic devices. Edge functionalization of GNRs has proven to be an effective strategy to tailor their optoelectronic properties. However, progress in this area has been hindered by challenges associated with the controlled synthesis of sd-GNRs, resulting in limited exploration of edge-functionalized variants. Here, we report the synthesis of sd-GNRs functionalized with porphyrin groups at opposite edges (denoted as GNR-Por) in the solution phase. The GNR backbones feature a chevron-type structure with a uniform width of 0.94 nm and an average length of 60 nm. It is calculated that the bulky porphyrin substituents can endow the GNRs with a periodic wavy geometry unprecedented in the reported GNRs, which facilitates single-ribbon dispersibility in common organic solvents (e.g., <5 μg mL-1 in tetrahydrofuran). For the achieved GNRs, the longest variant exhibits a long charge scattering time of 70 ± 5 fs and demonstrates exceptionally high charge-carrier mobility of ∼460 ± 30 cm2 V-1 s-1, among one of the highest reported values for GNR-based materials. A distinct energy transfer process occurs from the porphyrin to the backbone of the longest GNR with a high-rate constant of 6.7 ps-1. Solid-state GNR-Por displays room-temperature phosphorescence emission, a new emission behavior in GNRs, within a near-infrared window having a lifetime of 1.3 μs. The present synthesis enables single-ribbon dispersibility of GNRs in the solution phase and confers new optoelectronic properties through edge engineering.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5012-5021
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume148
Issue number5
Publication statusPublished - 11 Feb 2026
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 41589486