Researchers are tackling the challenge of creating precisely controlled 2D materials for next-generation nanoelectronics, and a new study details a significant step forward in achieving this goal. Alice Cartoceti from Politecnico di Milano, alongside Simona Achilli, Masoumeh Alihosseini, and colleagues, demonstrate the successful on-surface synthesis of graphene nanoribbon-graphdiyne lateral heterojunctions with atomically abrupt interfaces , a feat previously difficult to attain. By combining atomic-resolution microscopy with theoretical calculations, the team not only reveals how these covalently bonded structures form, but also demonstrates a pathway to engineer all-carbon nanoscale electronic architectures with tunable properties and spatially separated currents, potentially revolutionising device design.
The study reveals a multi-step on-surface synthesis process, beginning with the creation of armchair graphene nanoribbons as scaffolds for subsequent growth. Following this, metalated hydrogenated graphdiyne precursors were deposited, and annealing at 400 K induced ordering of the network, with bromine atoms accumulating along the edges of the nanoribbons. This precise control over surface chemistry is a significant innovation, demonstrating the ability to manipulate interfacial bonding with atomic precision.
Density functional theory calculations corroborated these observations, elucidating the bonding mechanism and providing insights into the electronic properties of the resulting heterostructure. These calculations demonstrate how the metallic substrate influences the supported heterostructure, while in a freestanding configuration, the two carbon subsystems maintain their intrinsic properties. Furthermore, preliminary electronic transport calculations indicate the potential of these hGDY-aGNR heterojunctions as next-generation electronic current switches. The atomically narrow junction formed by the heterostructure enables voltage-tunable spatial current separation, opening exciting possibilities for novel electronic devices. This work defines a crucial step towards realising all-carbon nanoelectronics, offering a pathway to design and fabricate advanced materials with tailored electronic characteristics for a range of applications. The ability to engineer these heterostructures with atomic precision promises to unlock new functionalities and performance levels in nanoscale electronic architectures.,.
This work pioneered a multi-step approach, beginning with the deposition of low coverage armchair nanoribbons (0.2-0.3 monolayers) to serve as scaffolds for subsequent hGDY growth, achieved following established protocols detailed in prior publications [24, 40, 41]. Following nanoribbon creation, researchers deposited tBEB0.40 eV, exceeding the C-Au bond energy of 2.26 eV but remaining lower than the C≡C bond energy of approximately 8 eV (Figure 3a).
This breakthrough delivers a novel approach to fabricating all-carbon nanoscale electronic architectures with tunable properties. Experiments revealed the formation mechanism of these covalent interfacial bonds, highlighting the critical influence of surface chemistry during the synthesis process. This precise control over bonding efficiency represents a significant advancement in the field of 2D material synthesis. Height profiles across the heterostructure confirmed the removal of gold adatoms during bond formation, demonstrating direct carbon-carbon coupling and eliminating metallic mediation. These measurements confirm a robust and direct covalent linkage between the two carbon subsystems.
Furthermore, Density functional theory calculations elucidated the bonding mechanism at the interface, providing deep insight into the electronic properties of the resulting heterostructure. Preliminary electronic transport calculations demonstrate the potential of these hGDY-aGNR heterojunctions as next-generation electronic current switches. The team measured atomically narrow junctions, enabling voltage-tunable spatial current separation, a crucial characteristic for advanced nanoelectronic devices.
The resulting heterostructure exhibits unique electronic properties; when freestanding, the two carbon subsystems maintain their individual characteristics, creating a narrow junction capable of spatially separating current based on voltage. When supported on the metallic substrate, the electronic structure is influenced by the metal, demonstrating a tunable system. The authors acknowledge that the efficiency of heterojunction formation is affected by the presence of contaminants like bromine, necessitating careful control of the surface environment. Furthermore, the study focused on a specific configuration of the heterostructure, and future research could explore alternative arrangements and compositions. The team suggests that this platform holds promise for current spatial separation in organic junction-based devices and could pave the way for atomic-scale circuitry, though further investigation is needed to fully realise these applications.
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🗞 Graphene Nanoribbon-Graphdiyne Lateral Heterojunctions with Atomically Abrupt Interfaces
🧠 ArXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.19437
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