Synthesis of structurally well-defined and liquid-phase-processable graphene nanoribbons

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Akimitsu Narita - , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Author)
  • Xinliang Feng - , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Author)
  • Yenny Hernandez - , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Author)
  • Søren A. Jensen - , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, AMOLF (Author)
  • Mischa Bonn - , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Author)
  • Huafeng Yang - , University of Manchester (Author)
  • Ivan A. Verzhbitskiy - , Free University of Berlin (Author)
  • Cinzia Casiraghi - , University of Manchester, Free University of Berlin (Author)
  • Michael Ryan Hansen - , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Aarhus University (Author)
  • Amelie H.R. Koch - , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Author)
  • George Fytas - , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, University of Crete (Author)
  • Oleksandr Ivasenko - , KU Leuven (Author)
  • Bing Li - , KU Leuven (Author)
  • Kunal S. Mali - , KU Leuven (Author)
  • Tatyana Balandina - , KU Leuven (Author)
  • Sankarapillai Mahesh - , KU Leuven (Author)
  • Steven De Feyter - , KU Leuven (Author)
  • Klaus Müllen - , Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Author)

Abstract

The properties of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) make them good candidates for next-generation electronic materials. Whereas 'top-down' methods, such as the lithographical patterning of graphene and the unzipping of carbon nanotubes, give mixtures of different GNRs, structurally well-defined GNRs can be made using a 'bottom-up' organic synthesis approach through solution-mediated or surface-assisted cyclodehydrogenation reactions. Specifically, non-planar polyphenylene precursors were first 'built up' from small molecules, and then 'graphitized' and 'planarized' to yield GNRs. However, fabrication of processable and longitudinally well-extended GNRs has remained a major challenge. Here we report a bottom-up solution synthesis of long (>200 nm) liquid-phase-processable GNRs with a well-defined structure and a large optical bandgap of 1.88 eV. Self-assembled monolayers of GNRs can be observed by scanning probe microscopy, and non-contact time-resolved terahertz conductivity measurements reveal excellent charge-carrier mobility within individual GNRs. Such structurally well-defined GNRs may prove useful for fundamental studies of graphene nanostructures, as well as the development of GNR-based nanoelectronics.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)126-132
Number of pages7
JournalNature chemistry
Volume6
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2014
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMed 24451588

Keywords