On-surface synthesis and edge states of NBN-doped zigzag graphene nanoribbons

作者：Xiao Chang, Li Huang, Yixuan Gao, Yubin Fu, Ji Ma, Huan Yang, Junzhi Liu, Xiaoshuai Fu, Xiao Lin, Xinliang Feng, Shixuan Du, Hong‐Jun Gao · 发表于：Nano Research · 年份：2023 · DOI：10.1007/s12274-023-5605-2 · 被引用次数：16 · 研究领域：Graphene research and applications、Quantum and electron transport phenomena、Molecular Junctions and Nanostructures

Zigzag graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs) with spin-polarized edge states have potential applications in carbon-based spintronics. The electronic structure of ZGNRs can be effectively tuned by different widths or dopants, which requires delicately designed monomers. Here, we report the successful synthesis of ZGNR with a width of eight carbon zigzag lines and nitrogen-boron-nitrogen (NBN) motifs decorated along the zigzag edges (NBN-8-ZGNR) on Au (111) surface, which starts from a specially designed U-shaped monomer with preinstalled NBN units at the zigzag edge. Chemical-bond-resolved non-contact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM) imaging confirms the zigzag-terminated edges and the existence of NBN dopants. The electronic states distributed along the zigzag edges have been revealed after a silicon-layer intercalation at the interface of NBN-8-ZGNR and Au (111). Our work enriches the ZGNR family with a new dopant and larger width, which provides more candidates for future carbon-based nanoelectronic and spintronic applications.