Controlled surface assembly and size-dependent electronic properties of large C96 nanographenes on Au(111)

Applied Surface Science 2026 Open access

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Authors: Hamza El Kari, Xiao Zhang, Hanna Enriquez, Andrew J. Mayne, Hamid Oughaddou
DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2026.167373
Cited by: 1
References: 33

Abstract

• Controlled surface assembly of large C 96 nanographenes on Au(111) using pulsed-valve injection and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). • Pulsed-valve injection yields extended, ordered monolayers; MBE produces isolated molecules and elongated nanostripes. • Partial cleavage of tert -butyl groups occurs upon adsorption, revealing deprotected nanographene cores. • Size-dependent electronic properties: small stripes are semiconducting (∼1 eV gap), while larger assemblies exhibit quasi-metallic behavior. • Demonstrates tunable electronic functionality of high-molecular-weight PAHs for bottom-up molecular nanoelectronics.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Surface Chemistry and Catalysis Graphene research and applications Fullerene Chemistry and Applications

Publication details

Journal / source
Applied Surface Science
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
743
Pages
167373–167373
Publication date
26 May 2026
Language
EN