Monitoring the On-Surface Synthesis of Graphene Nanoribbons by Mass Spectrometry

Zhang W, Chen Z, Yang B, Wang XY, Berger R, Narita A, Barin GB, Ruffieux P, Fasel R, Peng X, Raeder HJ, Muellen K (2017)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Analytical Chemistry American Chemical Society

Book Volume: 89

Pages Range: 7485-7492

Journal Issue: 14

DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b01135

Abstract

We present a mass spectrometric approach to characterize and monitor the intermediates of graphene nanoribbon (GNR) formation by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on top of Au(111) surfaces. Information regarding the repeating units, lengths, and termini can be obtained directly from the surface sample by a modified matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) method. The mass spectrometric results reveal ample oxidative side reactions under CVD conditions that can be drastically diminished by the introduction of protective H2 gas at ambient pressure. Simultaneously, the addition of hydrogen extends the lengths of the oligophenylenes and thus the final GNRs. Moreover, the prematurely formed cyclodehydrogenation products during the oligomer growth can be assigned by the mass spectrometric technique. The obtained mechanistic insights provide valuable information for optimizing and upscaling the bottom-up fabrication of GNRs. Given the important role of GNRs as semiconductors, the mass spectrometric analysis provides a readily available tool to characterize and improve their structural perfection.

Involved external institutions

Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung (MPI-P) / Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research DE Germany (DE) Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt (Empa) / Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science & Technology CH Switzerland (CH) Technische Universität Dresden DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Zhang, W., Chen, Z., Yang, B., Wang, X.-Y., Berger, R., Narita, A.,... Muellen, K. (2017). Monitoring the On-Surface Synthesis of Graphene Nanoribbons by Mass Spectrometry. Analytical Chemistry, 89(14), 7485-7492. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.7b01135

MLA:

Zhang, Wen, et al. "Monitoring the On-Surface Synthesis of Graphene Nanoribbons by Mass Spectrometry." Analytical Chemistry 89.14 (2017): 7485-7492.

BibTeX: Download