On-Surface Synthesis and Molecular Engineering of Carbon-Based Nanoarchitectures

On-surface synthesis via covalent coupling of adsorbed precursor molecules on metal surfaces has emerged as a promising strategy for the design and fabrication of novel organic nanoarchitectures with unique properties and potential applications in nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, spintronics, catalysis, etc. Surface-chemistry-driven molecular engineering (i.e., bond cleavage, linkage, and rearrangement) by means of thermal activation, light irradiation, and tip manipulation plays critical roles in various on-surface synthetic processes, as exemplified by the work from the Ernst group in a prior issue of ACS Nano. In this Perspective, we highlight recent advances in and discuss the outlook for on-surface syntheses and molecular engineering of carbon-based nanoarchitectures.

Automated summary

Covalent coupling of adsorbed precursor molecules on metal surfaces for on-surface synthesis is a promising strategy for designing and fabricating novel organic nanoarchitectures with unique properties and potential applications. Bond cleavage, linkage, and rearrangement driven by surface chemistry through thermal activation, light irradiation, and tip manipulation are critical in various on-surface synthetic processes. Research in this field has recently advanced, paving the way for the molecular engineering of carbon-based nanoarchitectures.