Bottom-up synthesis of edge-engineered graphene nanoribbons

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), a ribbon-shaped cut-outs of graphene with nanometre-scale widths, have attracted much attention due to their unique optoelectronic and thermoelectric properties, and have been recognized as a promising material for next-generation electronics. Their properties, such as chemical stability, optical absorption and emission, charge-carrier mobility, and spin state, heavily depend on their geometrical features such as edge structure, width, and length. This studentship aims to develop solution-state bottom-up synthesis of functionalized GNRs with precise edge-engineering approaches. Further functionalization of GNRs with various chemical moieties will be explored. Self-assembly and supramolecular properties of these graphene nanostructures will be studied in detail and devices will be fabricated to understand the edge dependent electronic properties. This project is relevant to 'Advanced Materials' theme of EPSRC/UKRI research areas.