A versatile strategy towards non-covalent functionalization of graphene by surface-confined supramolecular self-assembly of Janus tectons.

Ping Du,Fabrice Charra,André-Jean Attias,Fabrice Mathevet,David Bléger,Vincent Bouchiat,David Kreher

doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.64

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D), supramolecular self-assembly at surfaces is now well-mastered with several existing examples. However, one remaining challenge to enable future applications in nanoscience is to provide potential functionalities to the physisorbed adlayer. This work reviews a recently developed strategy that addresses this key issue by taking advantage of a new concept, Janus tecton materials. This is a versatile, molecular platform based on the design of three-dimensional (3D) building blocks consisting of two faces linked by a cyclophane-type pillar. One face is designed to steer 2D self-assembly onto C(sp2)-carbon-based flat surfaces, the other allowing for the desired functionality above the substrate with a well-controlled lateral order. In this way, it is possible to simultaneously obtain a regular, non-covalent paving as well as supramolecular functionalization of graphene, thus opening interesting perspectives for nanoscience applications.

Highlights

Graphene is of significant interest for generation electronics [1] due to its electronic properties [2,3]
We recently developed a successful new strategy taking place at the liquid–solid interface at room temperature (RT) for the precise nanometer-scale 2D decoration of flat sp2hybridized carbon supports with periodic arrays of functional 3D building blocks, known as Janus tectons [25]
The lower deck of this two-story linker is end-capped with two Figure 4: 3D Janus tecton: schematic structure of the two-faced building block laying on the substrate, and large-scale scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) image (49.3 x 49.3 nm2) of the selfassembly at the HOPG–phenyloctane interface

Summary

Introduction

Graphene is of significant interest for generation electronics [1] due to its electronic properties [2,3]. One face is designed to steer 2D self-assembly onto C(sp2)-carbon-based flat surfaces, the other allowing for the desired functionality above the substrate with a well-controlled lateral order. The exploration of both non-covalent and functionalized molecular self-assemblies on graphene, a newly emerging approach, is a very promising strategy [20,21,22,23,24].

Results

Conclusion