Rational synthesis of atomically precise graphene nanoribbons directly on metal oxide surfaces

Graphene nanoribbons made on oxides Atomically precise nanographenes and nanoribbons have been synthesized on metal surfaces that catalyze cyclode-hydrogenation of precursors. However, for use in devices, these structures usually must be transferred to insulating or semiconducting surfaces. Kolmer et al. synthesized precise graphene nanoribbons on the surface of rutile titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) that assisted the cyclode-hydrofluorination of specifically designed precursor molecules through a series of thermally triggered transformations. Scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy confirmed the formation of well-defined zigzag ends of the nanoribbons as well as their weak interaction with the substrate. Science , this issue p. 571