Atomic-Scale Imaging of Transferred Graphene Nanoribbons for Nanoelectronic Device Integration

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: On-surface synthesis enables the fabrication of atomically precise graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) with properties defined by their shape and edge topology. While this bottom-up approach provides unmatched control over electronic and structural characteristics, integrating GNRs into functional electronic devices requires their transfer from noble metal growth surfaces to technologically relevant substrates. However, such transfers often induce structural modifications, potentially degrading or eliminating GNRs' desired functionality - a process that remains poorly understood. In this study, we employ low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/STS) to characterize 9-atom-wide armchair GNRs (9-AGNRs) following polymer-free wet-transfer onto epitaxial graphene (EG) and quasi-freestanding epitaxial graphene (QFEG) substrates. Our results reveal that armchair GNRs maintain their structural integrity post-transfer, while GNRs with extended or modified edge topologies exhibit significant structural changes, including partial disintegration. Additionally, STS measurements reveal differences in the Fermi level alignment between GNRs and the graphene substrates, a key factor in optimizing carrier injection efficiency in electronic transport devices. This study establishes a framework for detecting postprocessing structural modifications in GNRs, which are often hidden in optical ensemble measurements. By addressing the challenges of substrate transfer and providing insights into GNR-substrate interactions, these findings pave the way for the reliable integration of atomically precise GNRs into next-generation nanoelectronic and optoelectronic devices.

Source: ACS Applied Nano Materials

DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.5c02753

Authors: Amogh Kinikar, Feifei Xiang, Lucia Palomino-Ruiz, Li-Syuan Lu, Chengye Dong, Yanwei Gu, Rimah Darawish, Eve Ammerman, Oliver Gröning, Klaus Müllen, Roman Fasel, Joshua A. Robinson, Pascal Ruffieux, Bruno Schuler, Gabriela Borin Barin

Institutions: Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Universidad de Granada, Pennsylvania State University, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, University of Bern, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Language: English

Topic: Graphene research and applications

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funders: National Science Foundation, Pennsylvania State University, University of Bern, Werner Siemens-Stiftung, European Commission, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung, Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, Division of Materials Research, H2020 European Research Council, HORIZON EUROPE European Innovation Council, Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province, Ministerio de Universidades, NextGenerationEU

OpenAlex ID: W4413199857