Understanding of structure-property relationship of polyacenes and its application to on-surface synthesis of nanocarbons

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H02816
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 35030:Organic functional materials-related
• Research Institution: National Institute for Materials Science (2022); Nara Institute of Science and Technology (2020-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Hironobu Hayashi 国立研究開発法人物質・材料研究機構, 先端材料解析研究拠点, 主任研究員 (00736936)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 高次アセン / 基板上合成 / 構造物性相関 / ナノカーボン / グラフェンナノリボン / 前駆体 / 環状分子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Polyacenes, which have linearly fused benzene rings, are known to exhibit not only high charge transport properties but also biradical characters in the ground state. Additionally, they are useful as precursors for nanocarbon materials. In this study, we have developed a synthetic method for unstable polyacenes under anaerobic conditions such as interior of a single crystal and ultra-high vacuum conditions, and successfully unveiled the structure-property relationship of polyacenes. Furthermore, we created a “foothold” for the synthesis of graphene nanoribbons in a simple manner that does not require conventional sublimation/heating processes of precursor molecules under ultra-high vacuum conditions.

Free Research Field

機能材料科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

高次アセンの合成法確立と物性相関理解は、次世代デバイスへの応用が期待される有機半導体・ナノカーボン材料を設計する上で有用な知見である。また、高次アセンの基板上合成研究の過程で得られた、高次にpi共役系が拡張された予想外のナノ分子生成の発見は、独自のナノ構造体創成法につながる成果である。また、新しい基板上光反応性の開拓・理解、簡便なプロセスを用いたナノ構造体・ナノカーボン材料構築法の開拓は、従来の手法を用いた研究とは方向性の異なる研究への発展を促すものである。