Our research focuses on on-surface synthesis as a powerful bottom-up approach for fabricating atomically precise nanostructures with tailored electronic and chemical properties. By leveraging metallic surfaces as catalytic platforms, we explore reaction mechanisms that enable the controlled formation of low-dimensional materials and functional molecular architectures.
Among our key studies, we have investigated the synthesis of graphene nanoribbons, which exhibit promising electronic properties for nanoelectronic applications, and boronic condensation reactions leading to the formation of extended covalent networks. These processes are guided by a combination of molecular precursor design, surface reactivity, and external stimuli such as temperature control.
To characterize the reaction intermediates and final products, we employ advanced surface-sensitive techniques, including photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, UPS), alongside theoretical modeling to gain a deeper understanding of reaction pathways and stability. By tuning molecular precursors and reaction conditions, we aim to expand the synthetic toolbox for the bottom-up fabrication of novel low-dimensional materials with potential applications in electronics, catalysis, and quantum technologies.