Customized Electronic Circuits through Hybrid Molecular Light Chain Technology

In a groundbreaking study, a research team has explored the potential of porphyrins and graphene nanoribbons in quantum technology. The findings of this research were published in the prestigious journal "Nature Chemistry".

Porphyrins, chemical structures that also occur naturally, were the focus of the study. Known for their dye properties and ability to emit light, these molecules could potentially act like a molecular string of lights. The team tested zinc, iron, and gold as the metal ions in the porphyrins for the study.

For the experiment, the researchers attached these special molecules with a metal center to a graphene nanoribbon. The graphene nanoribbons used in the study have a two-dimensional layer of carbon atoms with a width of only a few nanometers. The nanoribbons with porphyrins were created with zigzag edges, and the molecules attached to the edges at regular intervals, alternating left and right, making the graphene act like a molecular, electrically and magnetically conductive cable between the molecules.

The team used nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) metals in the porphyrins for the connection with graphene nanoribbons. The nickel-porphyrin showed stronger metal-ligand interaction and better electron transfer capabilities compared to zinc-porphyrin. This discovery is significant as the type of bound metal ion determines the properties of the structure.

The porphyrins can be excited by light to influence the properties of the graphene. The wavelength of the emitted light depends on the magnetic properties of the system, allowing for information to be read out based on slight color changes. This finding opens up the possibility of using these complex molecules as chemical sensors.

According to Roman Fasel, head of the "nanotech@surfaces" lab at Empa and lead author of the study, the graphene ribbon with porphyrins could function as a series of interconnected qubits in quantum technology. This could potentially lead to advancements in quantum computing and communication.

The research team plans to use different metal centers in the porphyrins for further investigation. They also intend to test a wider graphene ribbon to provide the molecules with a more diverse electronic base.

The components developed by the team could potentially have applications in quantum technology, offering a promising avenue for future research in this field.