Electrochemical on-surface synthesis of a strong electron-donating graphene nanoribbon catalyst

On-surface synthesis of edge-functionalized graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) has attracted much attention. However, producing such GNRs on a large scale through on-surface synthesis under ultra-high vacuum on thermally activated metal surfaces has been challenging. This is mainly due to the decomposition of functional groups at temperatures of 300 to 500 °C and limited monolayer GNR growth based on the metal catalysis. To overcome these obstacles, we developed an on-surface electrochemical technique that utilizes redox reactions of asymmetric precursors at an electric double layer where a strong electric field is confined to the liquid-solid interface. We successfully demonstrate layer-by-layer growth of strong electron-donating GNRs on electrodes at temperatures <80 °C without decomposing functional groups. We show that high-voltage facilitates previously unknown heterochiral di-cationic polymerization. Electrochemically produced GNRs exhibiting one of the strongest electron-donating properties known, enable extraordinary silicon-etching catalytic activity, exceeding those of noble metals, with superior photoconductive properties. Our technique advances the possibility of producing various edge-functional GNRs.