Synthesis of structurally well-defined and liquid-phase-processable graphene nanoribbons.
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.
Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128 Mainz, Germany.
Akimitsu
A
Narita
Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128 Mainz, Germany.
Xinliang
X
Feng
Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128 Mainz, Germany.
Yenny
Y
Hernandez
1] Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128 Mainz, Germany [2] FOM Institute AMOLF, Science Park 104, 1098 XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Søren A
SA
Jensen
Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128 Mainz, Germany.
Mischa
M
Bonn
School of Chemistry and Photon Science Institute, Manchester University, Oxford Road, Manchester, M139PL, UK.
Huafeng
H
Yang
Department of Physics, Free University Berlin, Arnimalle 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
Ivan A
IA
Verzhbitskiy
1] School of Chemistry and Photon Science Institute, Manchester University, Oxford Road, Manchester, M139PL, UK [2] Department of Physics, Free University Berlin, Arnimalle 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
Cinzia
C
Casiraghi
1] Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128 Mainz, Germany [2] Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
Michael Ryan
MR
Hansen
Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128 Mainz, Germany.
Amelie H R
AH
Koch
1] Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128 Mainz, Germany [2] Department of Materials Science, University of Crete and FORTH, Heraklion, Greece.
George
G
Fytas
Division of Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven Celestijnenlaan, 200 F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Oleksandr
O
Ivasenko
Division of Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven Celestijnenlaan, 200 F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Bing
B
Li
Division of Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven Celestijnenlaan, 200 F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Kunal S
KS
Mali
Division of Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven Celestijnenlaan, 200 F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Tatyana
T
Balandina
Division of Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven Celestijnenlaan, 200 F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Sankarapillai
S
Mahesh
Division of Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven Celestijnenlaan, 200 F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Steven
S
De Feyter
Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, D-55128 Mainz, Germany.
Klaus
K
Müllen
D061565:Cycloaddition Reaction; D004583:Electrons; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D058105:Polymerization; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011789:Quantum Theory
D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011108:Polymers; D006108:Graphite