Anthenes: Model systems for understanding the edge state of graphene nanoribbons

Abstract

The edge state, which is a peculiar magnetic state in zigzag-edged graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs) originating from an electron-electron correlation in an edge-localized π-state, has promising applications for magnetic and spintronics devices and has attracted much attention of physicists, chemists, and engineers. For deeper understanding of the edge state, precise fabrication of edge structures in ZGNRs has been highly demanded. We focus on anthenes, which are peri-condensed anthracenes that have zigzag and armchair edges on the molecular periphery, as model systems for understanding, and indeed prepare and characterize them. This paper summarizes our recent studies on the origin of the edge state by investigating anthenes in terms of the relationship between the molecular structure and spin-localizing character. © 2014 by IUPAC and De Gruyter Berlin/Boston.