MS-3: On-surface synthesis of 1D and 2D functional graphitic materials

Organiser: Dr. Alex Saywell, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom

Co-organiser: Dr. David A. Duncan, Diamond Light Source

About this Mini-Symposia:
On-surface synthesis of functional molecular-based structures provides a route to the fabrication of materials whose properties can be tailored to exhibit bespoke catalytic, (opto )electronic, and magnetic properties. For example, fabrication of graphene nanoribbons via on-surface synthesis, where reactive precursor molecules are combined to form extended polymeric structures, provides quasi-1D graphitic wires which can be doped by tuning the properties/composition of the precursor molecules. This approach facilitates bandgap and fermi-level engineering of the resultant systems, and allows the incorporation of single atom species to provide catalytically active sites of potential relevance to carbon capture and sequestration, as well as oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and carbon monoxide reduction reaction (CORR).

On-surface synthesis protocols, based upon incorporating specific structural and chemical motifs into a one- or two-dimensional material by the specific selection of molecular precursors and catalytic support (e.g Ullmann- and Glaser-type coupling), have produced a cornucopia of materials with varying topographies. However, key fundamental questions remain with regards to the mechanisms that underly these reactions, and as to the development of robust methodologies for the characterisation of the structure, chemistry, catalytic and (opto )electronic/magnetic properties of the resultant materials.  

Scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) is de rigueur within on-surface synthesis protocols to characterise these topographies [See our review Chem. Soc. Rev. 2020, 49, 4189]. However, it is clear that elucidating the functionality of these materials requires a multi-technique approach to complement these scanning probe microscopies.

The proposed Mini Symposia (MS) will be a forum to combine the recent advances in characterisation of on-surface processes, using a range of surface sensitive techniques, with exciting developments in low dimensional graphitic structures.

Topics for discussion may be divided into novel material systems, here, (i) formation of 1D/2D graphitic structures, (ii) catalytic properties of 1D and 2D materials, either as supports or catalysts themselves, (iii) electronic and magnetic properties of 1D and 2D molecular materials. The particular focus of the symposia will be on drawing together complementary techniques to enhance the obtained insight into the products synthesised by on-surface reactions.

Scientific Topic:
On-surface synthesis, 1D/2D graphitic materials, scanning probe microscopy (SPM), photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), density functional theory (DFT)

Research Scope:
Alex Saywell (AS) is a Royal Society University Research Fellow (RS-URF) and holds a proleptic Associate Professorship at the University of Nottingham. He leads a research group studying the highly interdisciplinary area of molecular reactions and interactions on surfaces. Scanning probe microscopies (SPM), and photoelectron spectroscopies are employed to characterise the structure and properties of complex functional molecules at surfaces in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) environments. A particular focus is the characterisation of on-surface synthesised 1D and 2D molecular structures and the development of methodologies for producing specific reaction products. His research has been supported by a series of fellowships: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Eigene Stelle; Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship; Nottingham Research Fellowship; and his current RS-URF.

David A. Duncan (DAD) is a senior beamline scientist on the beamline I09, Diamond Light Source with a particular expertise in quantitative surface structure determination using photoemission based techniques, primarily X-ray standing waves (XSW). He has 94 papers in international, peer-reviewed journals with more than 1500 citations and extensive synchrotron experience.

In combination DAD and AS have published 130 peer-reviewed publications, including 5 recent joint publications on the combination of SPM and PES to study on-surface reactions.

Expected Audience Type:
Researchers at the interface between chemistry and physics with an interest in on-surface synthesis of 1D and 2D materials as study by scanning probe microscopies and photoelectron spectroscopies.