Background

Graphene is a material that has a special carbon rearrangement – a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional hexagonal lattice. Special properties associated with this structural arrangement. It conducts heat and electricity, is nearly transparent, and shows large and nonlinear diamagnetism properties. Additionally, it is also one of the strongest materials in the known universe. Its unique properties have spurred interest in new methods of preparation for organic and inorganic 2-D polymers.

Technology Overview

Inventors at the University of Colorado Boulder, have developed a novel method for preparing 2-D polymers on a liquid surface. In this way, they were able to prepare zinc porphene () in large (>50,000 nm across) double sheets which can easily be transferred to a solid surface. Through the oxidative polymerization of zinc porphyrin on a Langmuir-Blodgett trough aqueous surface. This material has the potential to compete with graphene in numerous applications. Zinc porphene has the same fully conjugated π-electron system, and it allows for functionalization by attaching ligands to the metal atoms.

Figure 2: AFM of Zn porphene sheets on HOPG

Stage of Development

Proof of concept

Benefits

Post-surface modification

Applications

Semiconductor research
Electronics
Battery energy
Composites

CU4824B

Synthesis of Zinc Porphene, (C20N4Zn)4, a Heterocyclic Analog of Graphene