Convergent Fabrication of a Nanoporous Air-Stable Two-Dimensional Carbon Network
Résumé
The strategic synthesis of two-dimensional organic nanostructures has emerged in recent years as one of the most actively pursued topics in nanotechnology.[1] In particular, two-dimensional (2D) porous frameworks synthesized at a surface have drawn special attention due to the potentially different properties that they may possess with respect to their hermetic counterparts. Nevertheless, the applicability of these constructs is limited by their stability at higher temperatures (up to 700K) and atmospheric pressure (exposure to air). Herein we report a new synthesis procedure based on a convergent approach via a triple aldolisation, to create nanoporous networks on Au(111)[3]. Using ultra high vacuum scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we show that the nanoporous network fully covers the surface and we identify intermediate states in the growth process. In addition the network is stable up to 800K under UHV. Finally, we have successfully demonstrated that the network is stable at higher pressures, including argon backed pressures of 10-5 mbar, but most remarkably without a protective layer, the structures remains intact after exposure to atmospheric conditions.