Issue 4, 2019

Solution and on-surface synthesis of structurally defined graphene nanoribbons as a new family of semiconductors

Abstract

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are quasi-one-dimensional subunits of graphene and have open bandgaps in contrast to the zero-bandgap graphene. The high potential of GNRs as a new family of carbon-based semiconductors, e.g. for nanoelectronic and optoelectronic applications, has boosted the research attempts towards fabrication of GNRs. The predominant top-down methods such as lithographical patterning of graphene and unzipping of carbon nanotubes cannot prevent defect formation. In contrast, bottom-up chemical synthesis, starting from tailor-made molecular precursors, can achieve atomically precise GNRs. In this account, we summarize our recent research progress in the bottom-up synthesis of GNRs through three different methods, namely (1) in solution, (2) on-surface under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions, and (3) on-surface through chemical vapour deposition (CVD). The solution synthesis allows fabrication of long (>600 nm) and liquid-phase-processable GNRs that can also be functionalized at the edges. On the other hand, the on-surface synthesis under UHV enables formation of zigzag GNRs and in situ visualization of their chemical structures by atomic-resolution scanning probe microscopy. While the on-surface synthesis under UHV is typically costly and has limited scalability, the industrially viable CVD method can allow lower-cost production of large GNR films. We compare the three methods in terms of the affordable GNR structures and the resulting control of their electronic and optical properties together with post-processing for device integration. Further, we provide our views on future perspectives in the field of bottom-up GNRs.

Graphical abstract: Solution and on-surface synthesis of structurally defined graphene nanoribbons as a new family of semiconductors

Article information

Article type
Minireview
Submitted
23 Aug 2018
Accepted
29 Dec 2018
First published
02 Jan 2019
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Sci., 2019,10, 964-975

Solution and on-surface synthesis of structurally defined graphene nanoribbons as a new family of semiconductors

A. Narita, Z. Chen, Q. Chen and K. Müllen, Chem. Sci., 2019, 10, 964 DOI: 10.1039/C8SC03780A

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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