On-surface synthesis of chevron-like graphene nanoribbons from a molecular precursor

Houtsma, Koen (2019) On-surface synthesis of chevron-like graphene nanoribbons from a molecular precursor. Master's Thesis / Essay, Applied Physics.

Preview	Text mAppP_2019_HoutsmaRSK.pdf Download (9MB) | Preview
	Text toestemming.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (141kB)

Abstract

Graphene is an exciting material with excellent electronic properties, however it lacks a band gap which makes it unsuitable for application in field effect devices. By cutting the graphene into narrow strips, a band gap may be opened. Recently the possibility to create graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) with atomic precision using surface-assisted coupling has emerged. This has allowed for many interesting new possibilities, such as control over the edge termination and ribbon width. In this thesis, starting with the prochiral 6,12-dibromochrysene as a molecular precursor, we fabricated GNRs with a distinctive chevron-like shape. The structural and electronic properties of these GNRs were investigated. Using scanning tunneling spectroscopy, we measured its band gap to be 1.3 ± 0.1 eV. In addition, differential conductance maps reveal edge states in these ribbons. Based on comparison of both expiremental results and ab initio calculations, it seems likely that the chevron-like GNR has a wider band gap than an armchair-edge GNR of the same width. This opens up a possibility to tune the band gap of GNRs not only by changing its width or edge termination, but by changing its overall shape.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master's Thesis / Essay)
Supervisor name:	Stohr, M.A. and Banerjee, T. and Enache, M.
Degree programme:	Applied Physics
Thesis type:	Master's Thesis / Essay
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	17 Apr 2019
Last Modified:	14 Jun 2019 10:36
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/19366

Actions (login required)

View Item