Nanoscale reduction of graphene fluoride via thermochemical nanolithography

ACS Nano. 2013 Jul 23;7(7):6219-24. doi: 10.1021/nn4021746. Epub 2013 Jun 17.

Abstract

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) would be the ideal building blocks for all carbon electronics; however, many challenges remain in developing an appropriate nanolithography that generates high-quality ribbons in registry with other devices. Here we report direct and local fabrication of GNRs by thermochemical nanolithography, which uses a heated AFM probe to locally convert highly insulating graphene fluoride to conductive graphene. Chemically isolated GNRs as narrow as 40 nm show p-doping behavior and sheet resistances as low as 22.9 KΩ/□ in air, only approximately 10× higher than that of pristine graphene. The impact of probe temperature and speed are examined as well as the variable-temperature transport properties of the GNR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Crystallization / methods*
  • Energy Transfer
  • Fluorides / chemistry*
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Molecular Imprinting / methods*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Particle Size
  • Photography / methods*
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Graphite
  • Fluorides