On-surface synthesis of carbon nanostructures by dehalogenative and dehydrogenative homocoupling reactions

Abstract

Because of its diversity in nature, research on carbon materials has always been a hot topic. With the continuous development of nanotechnology, especially the application of scanning probe microscopy (SPM), surface chemistry has become one of the hot research areas. Recently, many researchers, including our group, have used scanning probe microscopy to fabricate a variety of novel carbon nanostructures through surface activation of hydrocarbons and carbon-halogen bonds under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions. In this review, combined with the recent research work of this group, we focus on the study of the formation of carbon nanostructures on the metal surface through the activation of hydrocarbons and carbon halides, and explore the reactivity of the precursor molecules on the surface.