On-Surface Synthesis: A New Route Realizing Single-Layer Conjugated Metal-Organic Structures

Recently, both experimental and theoretical advances have demonstrated that two-dimensional conjugated metal-organic frameworks (2DcMOFs) exhibit interesting electronic and magnetic properties, such as high conductivity and ferromagnetism. Theoretical studies have predicted that exotic quantum states, including topological insulating states and superconductivity, emerge in some 2D-MOFs. The high design tunability of MOFs' structure and composition provides great opportunities to realize these structures. However, most conventional synthesis methods yield multilayer structures of the 2D-cMOFs, in which the predicted exotic quantum phases are often quenched because of interlayer interactions. It is highly desirable to synthesize single-layer cMOFs. On surface synthesis represents a novel strategy toward this goal. In this Perspective, we discuss the recent developments in on-surface synthesis of 1D-and 2D-cMOFs.

Automated summary

Recent experimental and theoretical advances have shown that two-dimensional conjugated metal-organic frameworks (2DcMOFs) possess interesting electronic and magnetic properties such as high conductivity and ferromagnetism. It has been predicted that certain 2D-MOFs exhibit exotic quantum states such as topological insulating states and superconductivity. However, conventional synthesis methods often result in multilayer structures of 2D-cMOFs, suppressing the predicted exotic quantum phases due to interlayer interactions. Therefore, on-surface synthesis of single-layer cMOFs has become a desirable strategy.