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Dinh C, Yusufoglu M, Yumigeta K, Kinikar A, Sweepe T, Zeszut Z, Chang YJ, Copic C, Janssen S, Holloway R, Battaglia J, Kuntubek A, Zahin F, Lin YC, Vandenberghe WG, LeRoy BJ, Müllen K, Fasel R, Borin Barin G, Mutlu Z. Atomically Precise Graphene Nanoribbon Transistors with Long-Term Stability and Reliability. ACS NANO 2024; 18:22949-22957. [PMID: 39145671 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c04097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Atomically precise graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) synthesized from the bottom-up exhibit promising electronic properties for high-performance field-effect transistors (FETs). The feasibility of fabricating FETs with GNRs (GNRFETs) has been demonstrated, with ongoing efforts aimed at further improving their performance. However, their long-term stability and reliability remain unexplored, which is as important as their performance for practical applications. In this work, we fabricated short-channel FETs with nine-atom-wide armchair GNRs (9-AGNRFETs). We revealed that the on-state (ION) current performance of the 9-AGNRFETs deteriorates significantly over consecutive full transistor on and off logic cycles, which has neither been demonstrated nor previously considered. To address this issue, we deposited a thin ∼10 nm thick atomic layer deposition (ALD) layer of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) directly on these devices. The integrity, compatibility, electrical performance, stability, and reliability, of the GNRFETs before and/or after Al2O3 deposition were comprehensively studied. The results indicate that the observed decline in electrical device performance is most likely due to the degradation of contact resistance over multiple measurement cycles. We successfully demonstrated that the devices with the Al2O3 layer operate well up to several thousand continuous full cycles without any degradation. Our study offers valuable insights into the stability and reliability of GNR transistors, which could facilitate their large-scale integration into practical applications.
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Al-Hilfi S, Jiang X, Heuer J, Akula S, Tammeveski K, Hu G, Yang J, Wang HI, Bonn M, Landfester K, Müllen K, Zhou Y. Single-Atom Catalysts through Pressure-Controlled Metal Diffusion. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:19886-19895. [PMID: 38990188 PMCID: PMC11273616 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c03066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Single-atom catalysts (SACs) open up new possibilities for advanced technologies. However, a major complication in preparing high-density single-atom sites is the aggregation of single atoms into clusters. This complication stems from the delicate balance between the diffusion and stabilization of metal atoms during pyrolysis. Here, we present pressure-controlled metal diffusion as a new concept for fabricating ultra-high-density SACs. Reducing the pressure inhibits aggregation substantially, resulting in almost three times higher single-atom loadings than those obtained at ambient pressure. Molecular dynamics and computational fluid dynamics simulations reveal the role of a metal hopping mechanism, maximizing the metal atom distribution through an increased probability of metal-ligand binding. The investigation of the active site density by electrocatalytic oxygen reduction validates the robustness of our approach. The first realization of Ullmann-type carbon-oxygen couplings catalyzed on single Cu sites demonstrates further options for efficient heterogeneous catalysis.
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Zheng X, Li H, Gao S, Müllen K, Zhang J, Ji C, Yin M. "One-Stone-Three-Birds" H 2S-Photothermal Therapy for Enhanced Thrombolysis and Vascular Healing. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2403284. [PMID: 39037367 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202403284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Thrombus causes a serious condition characterized by the formation of blood clots in blood vessels or heart, potentially leading to life-threatening emergencies. Photothermal therapy (PTT) serves as a treatment for thrombosis that provides noninvasive thrombus dissolution and fewer bleeding side effects. However, the high temperatures generated by PTT can exacerbate vascular inflammation and promote thrombus recurrence. In this study, a photothermal hydrogen sulfide (H2S) nanogenerator (PSA@ADT-OH) is constructed using a perylene-cored photothermal agent (PSA) coassembled with a H2S donor ADT-OH. The system PSA@ADT-OH demonstrates outstanding targeting and accumulation efficiency against blood flow shear forces. It also provides sustained H2S release at thrombus sites, contributing to antiplatelet aggregation, reactive oxygen species clearance, and vascular healing. This approach opens up new possibilities for advanced thrombus treatment.
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Chen Q, Lodi A, Zhang H, Gee A, Wang HI, Kong F, Clarke M, Edmondson M, Hart J, O'Shea JN, Stawski W, Baugh J, Narita A, Saywell A, Bonn M, Müllen K, Bogani L, Anderson HL. Porphyrin-fused graphene nanoribbons. Nat Chem 2024; 16:1133-1140. [PMID: 38459234 PMCID: PMC11230900 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-024-01477-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), nanometre-wide strips of graphene, are promising materials for fabricating electronic devices. Many GNRs have been reported, yet no scalable strategies are known for synthesizing GNRs with metal atoms and heteroaromatic units at precisely defined positions in the conjugated backbone, which would be valuable for tuning their optical, electronic and magnetic properties. Here we report the solution-phase synthesis of a porphyrin-fused graphene nanoribbon (PGNR). This PGNR has metalloporphyrins fused into a twisted fjord-edged GNR backbone; it consists of long chains (>100 nm), with a narrow optical bandgap (~1.0 eV) and high local charge mobility (>400 cm2 V-1 s-1 by terahertz spectroscopy). We use this PGNR to fabricate ambipolar field-effect transistors with appealing switching behaviour, and single-electron transistors displaying multiple Coulomb diamonds. These results open an avenue to π-extended nanostructures with engineerable electrical and magnetic properties by transposing the coordination chemistry of porphyrins into graphene nanoribbons.
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Zhao H, Wang Y, Chen Q, Liu Y, Gao Y, Müllen K, Li S, Narita A. A Nanographene-Porphyrin Hybrid for Near-Infrared-Ii Phototheranostics. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2309131. [PMID: 38430537 PMCID: PMC11095198 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202309131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/04/2024]
Abstract
Photoacoustic imaging (PAI)-guided photothermal therapy (PTT) in the second near-infrared (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) window has been attracting attention as a promising cancer theranostic platform. Here, it is reported that the π-extended porphyrins fused with one or two nanographene units (NGP-1 and NGP-2) can serve as a new class of NIR-responsive organic agents, displaying absorption extending to ≈1000 and ≈1400 nm in the NIR-I and NIR-II windows, respectively. NGP-1 and NGP-2 are dispersed in water through encapsulation into self-assembled nanoparticles (NPs), achieving high photothermal conversion efficiency of 60% and 69%, respectively, under 808 and 1064 nm laser irradiation. Moreover, the NIR-II-active NGP-2-NPs demonstrated promising photoacoustic responses, along with high photostability and biocompatibility, enabling PAI and efficient NIR-II PTT of cancer in vivo.
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Kinikar A, Wang XY, Di Giovannantonio M, Urgel JI, Liu P, Eimre K, Pignedoli CA, Stolz S, Bommert M, Mishra S, Sun Q, Widmer R, Qiu Z, Narita A, Müllen K, Ruffieux P, Fasel R. Sterically Selective [3 + 3] Cycloaromatization in the On-Surface Synthesis of Nanographenes. ACS NANOSCIENCE AU 2024; 4:128-135. [PMID: 38644965 PMCID: PMC11027121 DOI: 10.1021/acsnanoscienceau.3c00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Surface-catalyzed reactions have been used to synthesize carbon nanomaterials with atomically predefined structures. The recent discovery of a gold surface-catalyzed [3 + 3] cycloaromatization of isopropyl substituted arenes has enabled the on-surface synthesis of arylene-phenylene copolymers, where the surface activates the isopropyl substituents to form phenylene rings by intermolecular coupling. However, the resulting polymers suffered from undesired cross-linking when more than two molecules reacted at a single site. Here we show that such cross-links can be prevented through steric protection by attaching the isopropyl groups to larger arene cores. Upon thermal activation of isopropyl-substituted 8,9-dioxa-8a-borabenzo[fg]tetracene on Au(111), cycloaromatization is observed to occur exclusively between the two molecules. The cycloaromatization intermediate formed by the covalent linking of two molecules is prevented from reacting with further molecules by the wide benzotetracene core, resulting in highly selective one-to-one coupling. Our findings extend the versatility of the [3 + 3] cycloaromatization of isopropyl substituents and point toward steric protection as a powerful concept for suppressing competing reaction pathways in on-surface synthesis.
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Hasler R, Fenoy GE, Götz A, Montes-García V, Valentini C, Qiu Z, Kleber C, Samorì P, Müllen K, Knoll W. "Clickable" graphene nanoribbons for biosensor interfaces. NANOSCALE HORIZONS 2024; 9:598-608. [PMID: 38385442 PMCID: PMC10962640 DOI: 10.1039/d3nh00590a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
We report on the synthesis of "clickable" graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) and their application as a versatile interface for electrochemical biosensors. GNRs are successfully deposited on gold-coated working electrodes and serve as a platform for the covalent anchoring of a bioreceptor (i.e., a DNA aptamer), enabling selective and sensitive detection of Interleukin 6 (IL6). Moreover, when applied as the intermediate linker on reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based field-effect transistors (FETs), the GNRs provide improved robustness compared to conventional aromatic bi-functional linker molecules. GNRs enable an orthogonal and covalent attachment of a recognition unit with a considerably higher probe density than previously established methods. Interestingly, we demonstrate that GNRs introduce photoluminescence (PL) when applied to rGO-based FETs, paving the way toward the simultaneous optical and electronic probing of the attached biointerface.
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Wu ZH, Zhu X, Yang Q, Zagranyarski Y, Mishra K, Strickfaden H, Wong RP, Basché T, Koynov K, Bonn M, Li C, Liu X, Müllen K. Near-Infrared Perylenecarboximide Fluorophores for Live-Cell Super-Resolution Imaging. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:7135-7139. [PMID: 38441879 PMCID: PMC10958508 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c13368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Organic near-infrared (NIR) photoblinking fluorophores are highly desirable for live-cell super-resolution imaging based on single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM). Herein we introduce a novel small chromophore, PMIP, through the fusion of perylenecarboximide with 2,2-dimetheylpyrimidine. PMIP exhibits an emission maximum at 732 nm with a high fluorescence quantum yield of 60% in the wavelength range of 700-1000 nm and excellent photoblinking without any additives. With resorcinol-functionalized PMIP (PMIP-OH), NIR SMLM imaging of lysosomes is demonstrated for the first time in living mammalian cells under physiological conditions. Moreover, metabolically labeled nascent DNA is site-specifically detected using azido-functionalized PMIP (PMIP-N3) via click chemistry, thereby enabling the super-resolution imaging of nascent DNA in phosphate-buffered saline with a 9-fold improvement in spatial resolution. These results indicate the potential of PMIP-based NIR blinking fluorophores for biological applications of SMLM.
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Wu H, Hanayama H, Coehlo M, Gu Y, Wu ZH, Takebayashi S, Jakob G, Vasylevskyi S, Schollmeyer D, Kläui M, Pieters G, Baumgarten M, Müllen K, Narita A, Qiu Z. Stable π-Extended Thio[7]helicene-Based Diradical with Predominant Through-Space Spin-Spin Coupling. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:7480-7486. [PMID: 38446414 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c12840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
In this work, a novel π-extended thio[7]helicene scaffold was synthesized, where the α-position of the thiophene unit could be functionalized with bulky phenoxy radicals after considerable synthetic attempts. This open-shell helical diradical, ET7H-R, possesses high stability in the air, nontrivial π conjugation, persistent chirality, and a high diradical character (y0 of 0.998). The key feature is a predominant through-space spin-spin coupling (TSC) between two radicals at the helical terminals. Variable-temperature continuous-wave electron spin resonance (cw-ESR) and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry in the solid state reveal a singlet ground state with a nearly degenerate triplet state of ET7H-R. These results highlight the significance of a stable helical diradicaloid as a promising platform for investigating intramolecular TSCs.
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Di Giovannantonio M, Qiu Z, Pignedoli CA, Asako S, Ruffieux P, Müllen K, Narita A, Fasel R. On-surface cyclization of vinyl groups on poly-para-phenylene involving an unusual pentagon to hexagon transformation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1910. [PMID: 38429274 PMCID: PMC10907692 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46173-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
On-surface synthesis relies on carefully designed molecular precursors that are thermally activated to afford desired, covalently coupled architectures. Here, we study the intramolecular reactions of vinyl groups in a poly-para-phenylene-based model system and provide a comprehensive description of the reaction steps taking place on the Au(111) surface under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. We find that vinyl groups successfully cyclize with the phenylene rings in the ortho positions, forming a dimethyl-dihydroindenofluorene as the repeating unit, which can be further dehydrogenated to a dimethylene-dihydroindenofluorene structure. Interestingly, the obtained polymer can be transformed cleanly into thermodynamically stable polybenzo[k]tetraphene at higher temperature, involving a previously elusive pentagon-to-hexagon transformation via ring opening and rearrangement on a metal surface. Our insights into the reaction cascade unveil fundamental chemical processes involving vinyl groups on surfaces. Because the formation of specific products is highly temperature-dependent, this innovative approach offers a valuable tool for fabricating complex, low-dimensional nanostructures with high precision and yield.
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Zhu X, Chen Q, Zhao H, Yang Q, Goudappagouda, Gelléri M, Ritz S, Ng D, Koynov K, Parekh SH, Chetty VK, Thakur BK, Cremer C, Landfester K, Müllen K, Terenzio M, Bonn M, Narita A, Liu X. Intrinsic Burst-Blinking Nanographenes for Super-Resolution Bioimaging. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:5195-5203. [PMID: 38275287 PMCID: PMC10910517 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c11152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) is a powerful technique to achieve super-resolution imaging beyond the diffraction limit. Although various types of blinking fluorophores are currently considered for SMLM, intrinsic blinking fluorophores remain rare at the single-molecule level. Here, we report the synthesis of nanographene-based intrinsic burst-blinking fluorophores for highly versatile SMLM. We image amyloid fibrils in air and in various pH solutions without any additive and lysosome dynamics in live mammalian cells under physiological conditions. In addition, the single-molecule labeling of nascent proteins in primary sensory neurons was achieved with azide-functionalized nanographenes via click chemistry. SMLM imaging reveals higher local translation at axonal branching with unprecedented detail, while the size of translation foci remained similar throughout the entire network. These various results demonstrate the potential of nanographene-based fluorophores to drastically expand the applicability of super-resolution imaging.
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Xu X, Kinikar A, Di Giovannantonio M, Pignedoli CA, Ruffieux P, Müllen K, Fasel R, Narita A. On-Surface Synthesis of Anthracene-Fused Zigzag Graphene Nanoribbons from 2,7-Dibromo-9,9'-bianthryl Reveals Unexpected Ring Rearrangements. PRECISION CHEMISTRY 2024; 2:81-87. [PMID: 38425747 PMCID: PMC10900509 DOI: 10.1021/prechem.3c00116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
On-surface synthesis has emerged as a powerful strategy to fabricate unprecedented forms of atomically precise graphene nanoribbons (GNRs). However, the on-surface synthesis of zigzag GNRs (ZGNR) has met with only limited success. Herein, we report the synthesis and on-surface reactions of 2,7-dibromo-9,9'-bianthryl as the precursor toward π-extended ZGNRs. Characterization by scanning tunneling microscopy and high-resolution noncontact atomic force microscopy clearly demonstrated the formation of anthracene-fused ZGNRs. Unique skeletal rearrangements were also observed, which could be explained by intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition. Theoretical calculations of the electronic properties of the anthracene-fused ZGNRs revealed spin-polarized edge-states and a narrow bandgap of 0.20 eV.
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Ehjeij D, Rominger F, Bunz UHF, Freudenberg J, Müllen K. Thermolysis of Biphenylene toward Cyclo-ortho-phenylenes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202312040. [PMID: 38084633 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202312040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
The solvent and catalyst free thermolysis of biphenylenes at 350 °C furnishes [n]cyclo-ortho-phenylenes ([n]COPs, n=4-10) in one step and in high yields. At 400 °C biphenylene dimerizes into tetraphenylene, but lower reaction temperatures produce cyclooligomers. If suitably substituted, the oligomers are soluble and can be isolated and characterized. The products are exclusively cyclic. In the crystalline state, [6]COP displays an alternating crown-shaped conformation.
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Nagahara T, Camargo FVA, Xu F, Ganzer L, Russo M, Zhang P, Perri A, de la Cruz Valbuena G, Heisler IA, D’Andrea C, Polli D, Müllen K, Feng X, Mai Y, Cerullo G. Electronic Structure of Isolated Graphene Nanoribbons in Solution Revealed by Two-Dimensional Electronic Spectroscopy. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:797-804. [PMID: 38189787 PMCID: PMC10811683 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c02665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Structurally well-defined graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are nanostructures with unique optoelectronic properties. In the liquid phase, strong aggregation typically hampers the assessment of their intrinsic properties. Recently we reported a novel type of GNRs, decorated with aliphatic side chains, yielding dispersions consisting mostly of isolated GNRs. Here we employ two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy to unravel the optical properties of isolated GNRs and disentangle the transitions underlying their broad and rather featureless absorption band. We observe that vibronic coupling, typically neglected in modeling, plays a dominant role in the optical properties of GNRs. Moreover, a strong environmental effect is revealed by a large inhomogeneous broadening of the electronic transitions. Finally, we also show that the photoexcited bright state decays, on the 150 fs time scale, to a dark state which is in thermal equilibrium with the bright state, that remains responsible for the emission on nanosecond time scales.
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Wu ZH, Skabeev A, Zagranyarski Y, Duan R, Jin JO, Kwak M, Basché T, Müllen K, Li C. High-Performance Near-Infrared Chlorinated Rylenecarboximide Fluorophores via Consecutive C-N and C-C Bond Formation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202315156. [PMID: 37947588 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202315156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
A new class of near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores, PAI, is obtained by consecutive C-N/C-C bond formation between diphenylamines and 9,10-dibromoperylenecarboximide. Owing to the rigid structure, extended π-conjugation and pronounced push-pull substitution, these fluorophores show emission maxima up to 804 nm and large Stokes shifts. The extraordinarily high fluorescence quantum yields from 47 % to 70 % are attributed to chloro substitution in the bay positions of the perylene core. These characteristics, together with high photostability, qualify them as useful NIR emitters for applications as biomarkers and security inks.
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Wu ZH, Peng M, Ji C, Kardasis P, Tzourtzouklis I, Baumgarten M, Wu H, Basché T, Floudas G, Yin M, Müllen K. A Terrylene-Anthraquinone Dyad as a Chromophore for Photothermal Therapy in the NIR-II Window. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:26487-26493. [PMID: 38011640 PMCID: PMC10704552 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c11314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
A terrylenedicarboximide-anthraquinone dyad, FTQ, with absorption in the second near-infrared region (NIR-II) is obtained as a high-performance chromophore for photothermal therapy (PTT). The synthetic route proceeds by C-N coupling of amino-substituted terrylenedicarboximide (TMI) and 1,4-dichloroanthraquinone followed by alkaline-promoted dehydrocyclization. FTQ with extended π-conjugation exhibits an optical absorption band peaking at 1140 nm and extending into the 1500 nm range. Moreover, as determined by dielectric spectroscopy in dilute solutions, FTQ achieves an ultrastrong dipole moment of 14.4 ± 0.4 Debye due to intense intramolecular charge transfer. After encapsulation in a biodegradable polyethylene glycol (DSPE-mPEG2000), FTQ nanoparticles (NPs) deliver a high photothermal conversion efficiency of 49% under 1064 nm laser irradiation combined with excellent biocompatibility, photostability, and photoacoustic imaging capability. In vitro and in vivo studies reveal the great potential of FTQ NPs in photoacoustic-imaging-guided photothermal therapy for orthotopic liver cancer treatment in the NIR-II window.
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Yao X, Zhang H, Kong F, Hinaut A, Pawlak R, Okuno M, Graf R, Horton PN, Coles SJ, Meyer E, Bogani L, Bonn M, Wang HI, Müllen K, Narita A. N=8 Armchair Graphene Nanoribbons: Solution Synthesis and High Charge Carrier Mobility. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202312610. [PMID: 37750665 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202312610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Structurally defined graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) have emerged as promising candidates for nanoelectronic devices. Low band gap (<1 eV) GNRs are particularly important when considering the Schottky barrier in device performance. Here, we demonstrate the first solution synthesis of 8-AGNRs through a carefully designed arylated polynaphthalene precursor. The efficiency of the oxidative cyclodehydrogenation of the tailor-made polymer precursor into 8-AGNRs was validated by FT-IR, Raman, and UV/Vis-near-infrared (NIR) absorption spectroscopy, and further supported by the synthesis of naphtho[1,2,3,4-ghi]perylene derivatives (1 and 2) as subunits of 8-AGNR, with a width of 0.86 nm as suggested by the X-ray single crystal analysis. Low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and solid-state NMR analyses provided further structural support for 8-AGNR. The resulting 8-AGNR exhibited a remarkable NIR absorption extending up to ∼2400 nm, corresponding to an optical band gap as low as ∼0.52 eV. Moreover, optical-pump TeraHertz-probe spectroscopy revealed charge-carrier mobility in the dc limit of ∼270 cm2 V-1 s-1 for the 8-AGNR.
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Li B, Ju CW, Wang W, Gu Y, Chen S, Luo Y, Zhang H, Yang J, Liang HW, Bonn M, Müllen K, Goddard WA, Zhou Y. Heck Migratory Insertion Catalyzed by a Single Pt Atom Site. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:24126-24135. [PMID: 37867298 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have generated excitement for their potential to downsize metal particles to the atomic limit with engineerable local environments and improved catalytic reactivities and selectivities. However, successes have been limited to small-molecule transformations with little progress toward targeting complex-building reactions, such as metal-catalyzed cross-coupling. Using a supercritical carbon-dioxide-assisted protocol, we report a heterogeneous single-atom Pt-catalyzed Heck reaction, which provides the first C-C bond-forming migratory insertion on SACs. Our quantum mechanical computations establish the reaction mechanism to involve a novel C-rich coordination site (i.e., PtC4) that demonstrates an unexpected base effect. Notably, the base was found to transiently modulate the coordination environment to allow migratory insertion into an M-C species, a process with a high steric impediment with no previous example on SACs. The studies showcase how SACs can introduce coordination structures that have remained underexplored in catalyst design. These findings offer immense potential for transferring the vast and highly versatile reaction manifold of migratory-insertion-based bond-forming protocols to heterogeneous SACs.
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Kinikar A, Xu X, Giovannantonio MD, Gröning O, Eimre K, Pignedoli CA, Müllen K, Narita A, Ruffieux P, Fasel R. On-Surface Synthesis of Edge-Extended Zigzag Graphene Nanoribbons. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2306311. [PMID: 37795919 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202306311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) have gained significant attention in nanoelectronics due to their potential for precise tuning of electronic properties through variations in edge structure and ribbon width. However, the synthesis of GNRs with highly sought-after zigzag edges (ZGNRs), critical for spintronics and quantum information technologies, remains challenging. In this study, a design motif for synthesizing a novel class of GNRs termed edge-extended ZGNRs is presented. This motif enables the controlled incorporation of edge extensions along the zigzag edges at regular intervals. The synthesis of a specific GNR instance-a 3-zigzag-rows-wide ZGNR-with bisanthene units fused to the zigzag edges on alternating sides of the ribbon axis is successfully demonstrated. The resulting edge-extended 3-ZGNR is comprehensively characterized for its chemical structure and electronic properties using scanning probe techniques, complemented by density functional theory calculations. The design motif showcased here opens up new possibilities for synthesizing a diverse range of edge-extended ZGNRs, expanding the structural landscape of GNRs and facilitating the exploration of their structure-dependent electronic properties.
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Huang W, Braun O, Indolese DI, Barin GB, Gandus G, Stiefel M, Olziersky A, Müllen K, Luisier M, Passerone D, Ruffieux P, Schönenberger C, Watanabe K, Taniguchi T, Fasel R, Zhang J, Calame M, Perrin ML. Edge Contacts to Atomically Precise Graphene Nanoribbons. ACS NANO 2023; 17:18706-18715. [PMID: 37578964 PMCID: PMC10569104 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c00782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Bottom-up-synthesized graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are an emerging class of designer quantum materials that possess superior properties, including atomically controlled uniformity and chemically tunable electronic properties. GNR-based devices are promising candidates for next-generation electronic, spintronic, and thermoelectric applications. However, due to their extremely small size, making electrical contact with GNRs remains a major challenge. Currently, the most commonly used methods are top metallic electrodes and bottom graphene electrodes, but for both, the contact resistance is expected to scale with overlap area. Here, we develop metallic edge contacts to contact nine-atom-wide armchair GNRs (9-AGNRs) after encapsulation in hexagonal boron-nitride (h-BN), resulting in ultrashort contact lengths. We find that charge transport in our devices occurs via two different mechanisms: at low temperatures (9 K), charges flow through single GNRs, resulting in quantum dot (QD) behavior with well-defined Coulomb diamonds (CDs), with addition energies in the range of 16 to 400 meV. For temperatures above 100 K, a combination of temperature-activated hopping and polaron-assisted tunneling takes over, with charges being able to flow through a network of 9-AGNRs across distances significantly exceeding the length of individual GNRs. At room temperature, our short-channel field-effect transistor devices exhibit on/off ratios as high as 3 × 105 with on-state current up to 50 nA at 0.2 V. Moreover, we find that the contact performance of our edge-contact devices is comparable to that of top/bottom contact geometries but with a significantly reduced footprint. Overall, our work demonstrates that 9-AGNRs can be contacted at their ends in ultra-short-channel FET devices while being encapsulated in h-BN.
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Wang Y, Wang Z, Qiu Z, Zhang X, Chen J, Li J, Narita A, Müllen K, Palma CA. Hydrogenation of Hexa- peri-hexabenzocoronene: An Entry to Nanographanes and Nanodiamonds. ACS NANO 2023; 17:18832-18842. [PMID: 37729013 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c03538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
The fabrication of atomically precise nanographanes is a largely unexplored frontier in carbon-sp3 nanomaterials, enabling potential applications in phononics, photonics and electronics. One strategy is the hydrogenation of prototypical nanographene monolayers and multilayers under vacuum conditions. Here, we study the interaction of atomic hydrogen, generated by a hydrogen source and hydrogen plasma, with hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene on gold using integrated time-of-flight mass spectrometry, scanning tunneling microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Density functional tight-binding molecular dynamics is employed to rationalize the conversion to sp3 carbon atoms. The resulting hydrogenation of hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene molecules is demonstrated computationally and experimentally, and the potential for atomically precise hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene-derived nanodiamond fabrication is proposed.
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Garcia-Orrit S, Vega-Mayoral V, Chen Q, Serra G, Paternò GM, Cánovas E, Narita A, Müllen K, Tommasini M, Cabanillas-González J. Nanographene-Based Decoration as a Panchromatic Antenna for Metalloporphyrin Conjugates. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2301596. [PMID: 37329205 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202301596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Porphyrins, a type of heterocyclic aromatic compounds consisting of tetrapyrroles connected by four substituted methine groups, are appealing building blocks for solar energy applications. However, their photosensitization capability is limited by their large optical energy gap, which results in a mismatch in absorption toward efficient harvesting of the solar spectrum. Porphyrin π-extension by edge-fusing with nanographenes can be employed for narrowing their optical energy gap from 2.35 to 1.08 eV, enabling the development of porphyrin-based panchromatic dyes with an optimized energy onset for solar energy conversion in dye-sensitized solar fuel and solar cell configurations. By combining time-dependent density functional theory with fs transient absorption spectroscopy, it is found that the primary singlets, which are delocalized across the entire aromatic part, are transferred into metal centred triplets in only 1.2 ps; and subsequently, relax toward ligand-delocalized triplets. This observation implies that the decoration of the porphyrin moiety with nanographenes, while having a large impact on the absorption onset of the novel dye, promotes the formation of a ligand-centred lowest triplet state of large spatial extension, potentially interesting for boosting interactions with electron scavengers. These results reveal a design strategy for broadening the applicability of porphyrin-based dyes in optoelectronics.
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Zhang J, Barin GB, Furrer R, Du CZ, Wang XY, Müllen K, Ruffieux P, Fasel R, Calame M, Perrin ML. Determining the Number of Graphene Nanoribbons in Dual-Gate Field-Effect Transistors. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:8474-8480. [PMID: 37671914 PMCID: PMC10540264 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c01931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Bottom-up synthesized graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are increasingly attracting interest due to their atomically controlled structure and customizable physical properties. In recent years, a range of GNR-based field-effect transistors (FETs) has been fabricated, with several demonstrating quantum-dot (QD) behavior at cryogenic temperatures. However, understanding the relationship between the cryogenic charge-transport characteristics and the number of the GNRs in the device is challenging, as the length and location of the GNRs in the junction are not precisely controlled. Here, we present a methodology based on a dual-gate FET that allows us to identify different scenarios, such as single GNRs, double or multiple GNRs in parallel, and a single GNR interacting with charge traps. Our dual-gate FET architecture therefore offers a quantitative approach for comprehending charge transport in atomically precise GNRs.
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Zhao XJ, Ju YY, Su YM, Tang C, Zeng Q, Feng L, Wang C, Müllen K, Tan YZ. Hexa-Branched Nanographenes with Large Two-Photon Absorption. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:19333-19337. [PMID: 37638550 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c05662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
The conventional approach toward molecules with large two-photon absorption (TPA) involves donor-acceptor conjugation. Herein we show a new strategy involving the use of hexa-branched nanographenes. We synthesized two hexa-branched nanographenes, one with six benzoaceanthrylene arms fused to the coronene core and the other with six pyrenyl arms fused to the coronene core. Neither of these hexa-branched nanographenes has a donor-acceptor structure, yet they exhibited high TPA values of 3.6 × 103 and 1.9 × 104 GM, respectively, which are the highest values recorded for heteroatom-free hydrocarbon molecules. Theoretical analysis suggests that the fused branched structures are responsible for the large TPA cross-section. These findings illustrate the importance of the topology of the fused conjugated skeleton in TPA and provide an alternative structural design toward large TPA.
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Gu Y, Torchon HS, Zhu Y, Wei Z, Schollmeyer D, Wagner M, Ni Y, Wu Z, Wu H, Zhou Y, Qiu Z, Petrukhina MA, Müllen K. Twisted Diindeno-Fused Dibenzo[a,h]anthracene Derivatives and their Dianions. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202307750. [PMID: 37365137 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202307750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
We report a facile synthesis of diindeno-fused dibenzo[a,h]anthracene derivatives (DIDBA-2Cl, DIDBA-2Ph, and DIDBA-2H) with different degrees of non-planarity using three substituents (chloro, phenyl, and hydrogen) of various sizes. The planarization of their cores, as evidenced by the decreased end-to-end torsional angles, was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Their enhanced energy gaps with twisting were investigated by a combination of spectroscopic and electrochemical methods with density functional theory, which showed a transition from singlet open-shell to closed-shell configuration. Moreover, their doubly reduced states, DIDBA-2Ph2- and DIDBA-2H2- , were achieved by chemical reduction. The structures of dianions were identified by X-ray crystallographic analysis, which elucidated that the electron charging further distorted the backbones. The electronic structure of the dianions was demonstrated by experimental and theoretical approaches, suggesting decreased energy gaps with larger non-planarity, different from the neutral species.
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