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Unlocking the Solution Processability of Graphene Nanoribbons via a Solvent-Assisted Direct Fluorination
Xinyu Chen1, Liping Bai2, Shuai Wang2
1College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymer Materials, Sichuan University, Chengdu610065, P. R. China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|May 14, 2026
Summary
Fluorination of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) improves their solubility and processability. Fluorinated GNRs (FGNRs) enable fabrication of graphene-based molecular devices with retained charge transport capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) possess unique electronic properties but suffer from poor solubility and aggregation, hindering their application.
- Developing strategies for selective functionalization is crucial for overcoming GNR processability challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a solvent-assisted direct fluorination method for GNR functionalization.
- To enhance the solubility, dispersion stability, and solution processability of GNRs.
- To explore the application of functionalized GNRs in molecular electronic devices.
Main Methods:
- Solvent-assisted direct fluorination of graphene nanoribbons.
- Characterization using optical spectroscopy and electrical measurements.
- Fabrication and testing of graphene-based molecular devices.
Main Results:
- Selective fluorination yielded fluorinated GNRs (FGNRs) with semi-ionic C-F bonds.
- FGNRs exhibited improved solubility (1 mg mL-1 in THF) and dispersion stability.
- Optical properties showed near-infrared photoluminescence and a slight band gap widening (1.02 to 1.10 eV).
- Fabricated FGNR-based devices retained room-temperature charge transport capabilities.
- Variable-temperature measurements revealed a transition in conduction mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Solvent-assisted direct fluorination is a viable strategy to enhance GNR processability.
- FGNRs demonstrate potential for applications in solution-processed molecular electronics.
- The developed method offers a generalizable approach for functionalizing GNRs.
