On‐Surface Synthesis of Nitrogen‐Doped Kagome Graphene. Issue 15 (3rd March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pawlak, Rémy; Liu, Xunshan; Ninova, Silviya; D'Astolfo, Philipp; Drechsel, Carl; Liu, Jung‐Ching; Häner, Robert; Decurtins, Silvio; Aschauer, Ulrich; Liu, Shi‐Xia; Meyer, Ernst
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 60:Issue 15(2021)
• Page Start: 8370
• Page End: 8375
• Publication Date: 2021-03-03
• Subjects: atomic force microscopy -- density functional calculations -- Kagome graphene -- on-surface synthesis -- scanning probe microscopy; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202016469
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: Nitrogen‐doped Kagome graphene (N‐KG) has been theoretically predicted as a candidate for the emergence of a topological band gap as well as unconventional superconductivity. However, its physical realization still remains very elusive. Here, we report on a substrate‐assisted reaction on Ag(111) for the synthesis of two‐dimensional graphene sheets possessing a long‐range honeycomb Kagome lattice. Low‐temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) with a CO‐terminated tip supported by density functional theory (DFT) are employed to scrutinize the structural and electronic properties of the N‐KG down to the atomic scale. We demonstrate its semiconducting character due to the nitrogen doping as well as the emergence of Kagome flat bands near the Fermi level which would open new routes towards the design of graphene‐based topological materials. Abstract : Nitrogen‐doped Kagome graphene is predicted to display a topological band gap and unconventional superconductivity. Two‐dimensional graphene sheets possessing a long‐range honeycomb Kagome lattice have now been synthesized by a substrate‐assisted Ullmann reaction on Ag(111). Scanning probe microscopy supported by density functional theory proves the appearance of Kagome flat bands, opening the design of graphene‐based topological materials.