title: Self-assembled air-stable supramolecular porous networks on graphene.
abstract: Functionalization and modification of graphene at the nanometer scale is desirable for many applications. Supramolecular assembly offers an attractive approach in this regard, as many organic molecules form well-defined patterns on surfaces such as graphite via physisorption. Here we show that ordered porous supramolecular networks with different pore sizes can be readily fabricated on different graphene substrates via self-assembly of dehydrobenzo[12]annulene (DBA) derivatives at the interface between graphene and an organic liquid. Molecular resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) investigations reveal that the extended honeycomb networks are highly flexible and that they follow the topological features of the graphene surface without any discontinuity, irrespective of the step-edges present in the substrate underneath. We also demonstrate the stability of these networks under liquid as well as ambient air conditions. The robust yet flexible DBA network adsorbed on graphene surface is a unique platform for further functionalization and modification of graphene. Identical network formation irrespective of the substrate supporting the graphene layer and the level of surface roughness illustrates the versatility of these building blocks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Division of Molecular Imaging and Photonics, KU Leuven-University of Leuven , Celestijnenlaan 200F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Kazukuni
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tahara
authors.forename: Jinne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adisoejoso
authors.forename: Willem
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Vanderlinden
authors.forename: Kunal S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Mali
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Gendt
authors.forename: Yoshito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tobe
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Feyter