On-surface metal-organic coordination provides a promising way for synthesizing different two-dimensional lattice structures that have been predicted to possess exotic electronic properties. Using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS), we studied the supramolecular self-assembly of 9,10-dicyanoanthracene (DCA) molecules on the Au(111) surface. Close-packed islands of DCA molecules and Au-DCA metal-organic coordination structures coexist on the Au(111) surface. Ordered DCA 3 Au 2 metal-organic networks have a structure combining a honeycomb lattice of Au atoms with a kagome lattice of DCA molecules. Low-temperature STS experiments demonstrate the presence of a delocalized electronic state containing contributions from both the gold atom states and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of the DCA molecules. These findings are important for the future search of topological phases in metal-organic networks combining honeycomb and kagome lattices with strong spin-orbit coupling in heavy metal atoms.It is well-known that the exciting electronic properties of graphene are intimately linked to its honeycomb lattice with a two-atom unit cell. [1] This results in the formation of Dirac cones in the band structure and the linear dispersion around the K points (at the corners of the Brillouin zone). This is a generic property of any honeycomb lattice and has sparked interest in "artificial graphene": engineered systems that have the same structure. [2][3][4][5][6] There are other lattice geometries that have the potential to host exotic electronic phases. For example, the kagome lattice has the same Dirac band structure as the honeycomb lattice, but with an additional flat band [7] pinned to the top (or bottom) of the Dirac band. Furthermore, these systems can be driven into topological phases by adding spinorbit coupling. This opens gaps at the band crossings (the Dirac points) which host topological states in finite structures. [8][9][10] Metal-organic structures have been synthesized on surfaces following the concepts of supramolecular coordination chemistry. [11,12] Their architectures depend on the chemistry of the metal centres with organic linkers and on their interactions with the surface. [13] Over the past two decades, metal-organic networks with various lattice structures have been fabricated using different combinations of metal atoms and organic molecules. In addition to fabricating e. g. simple square geometry, metal-organic networks with honeycomb and kagome lattices have been formed. [14] These hold promise for hosting exotic band structures, especially when combined with heavy metal atoms. In fact, there are several recent predictions based on ab initio modelling suggesting that honeycomb and kagome metal-organic networks could host exotic quantum phases, for example, topological insulators. [15][16][17][18][19] However, most of the metal-organic networks that have been obtained are using 3d transition metals, with only a few reports on heavy metals which can provide strong spin-orbit ...
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.