Graphene nanostructures through polymerization of halogen-free precursors: Synthesis and properties

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Stephanie Reich, since 1/2024
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 440298568

We propose a novel growth method for graphene nanostructures using halogen-free molecular precursors. Our approach will control the edge geometry, nanostructure width, and growth direction during synthesis. The control over the atomic scale structure will realize graphene nanosystems with well-defined physical properties as we will exemplary demonstrate for the optical and vibrational properties. Existing methods for graphene growth are based on chemical vapor deposition or the polymerization of halogen-bearing molecular precursors. Chemical vapor deposition exerts no or very limited control over the growth process.The surface-assisted polymerization of halogenide precursors fully determines the atomic structure of the resulting nanoribbons, but at the price of small yield. Our approach employs commercially available halogen-free precursor molecules that control the edge geometry through molecular symmetry. We will determine the edge structure using atomically resolved microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. To control the width and the shape of the ribbons, we propose nanostructured catalytic substrates for graphene growth. In addition to nanostructures, our concept will provide graphene anti-dot superlattices, i.e., graphene with regularly arranged holes. We will develop novel transfer protocols for the large area transfer free of contaminants and for selectively transferring individual nanostructures. The optical and vibrational properties of the grown graphene nanostructures will be studied with near-field and far-field optical spectroscopy.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemalige Antragstellerin: Dr. Katayoun Gharagozloo-Hubmann, until 12/2023