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Updated: Jun 7, 2026
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Fabrication of Three-Dimensional Graphene-Based Polyhedrons via Origami-Like Self-Folding
Published on: September 23, 2018
Cyclophane-based shielding strategy for singly dispersed graphene nanoribbons
Jin-Jiang Zhang1,2,3, Jian Zhang4, Guanzhao Wen5
1Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics, Halle, Germany.
Nature Chemistry
|June 5, 2026
Summary
A new cyclophane shielding strategy enables singly dispersed graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) for nanoelectronics. This method improves charge carrier mobility and allows for single-electron transistors with Coulomb blockade behavior.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) offer tunable bandgaps for nanoelectronics.
- Inter-ribbon aggregation hinders practical integration of GNRs into single-ribbon devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a strategy for preventing GNR aggregation.
- To modulate the optoelectronic properties of GNRs.
- To enable fabrication of single-electron transistors using GNRs.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of three cyclophane-shielded GNRs (1a-c) and model nanographenes.
- Investigation using terahertz spectroscopy.
- Fabrication and characterization of single-electron transistors.
Main Results:
- Cyclophane shielding enables singly dispersed GNRs.
- Charge carrier mobility increased from 190 to 330 cm2V-1s-1 with shorter cyclophane chain lengths.
- Singly dispersed GNRs facilitated single-electron transistors exhibiting Coulomb blockade.
Conclusions:
- Cyclophane shielding is a generalizable strategy for solution-processable GNRs.
- This approach is compatible with quantum device applications.
- Shielding modulates GNR properties and prevents aggregation.
