Atomically precise graphene nanoribbons: from single molecules to functional devices

CFM COLLOQUIUM SERIES

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are emerging as a key platform for nanoelectronics due to their
tunable band gaps, quantum confinement effects, and atomically precise structures1. Their
electronic and magnetic properties can be tailored at the single-atom level, enabling
applications from field-effect transistors (FETs) to spintronic devices. In this talk, I will outline
the pathway from bottom-up synthesis under ultra-high vacuum conditions to device
integration. I will focus on the synthesis of atomically precise GNRs, their transfer to
technologically relevant substrates2 using wet and dry methods, and their structural and
electronic characterization via Raman spectroscopy3 and scanning probe techniques4. Special
emphasis will be placed on the integration of 9- and 17-atom-wide armchair GNRs into multi-
gated FET architectures using graphene and carbon nanotube electrodes5-7. These devices
display quantum dot behavior with well-defined Coulomb diamonds, highlighting the potential
of GNRs for quantum transport studies and scalable device applications.
[1] J. Cai et al., Nature, 466, 2010
[2] G. Borin Barin et al., ACS Applied Nanomaterials, 2, 2019
[3] R. Darawish et al., Carbon, 218, 2024
[4] A. Kinikar et al., ACS Applied Nanomaterials, 8, 2025
[5] J. Zhang et al, Nature Electronics, 6, 2023
[6] J. Hwang, ACS Nano. 19, 2025
[7] J. Zhang et al, Nature Reviews Materials, 1-19, 2026