Graphene ribbons (ref.4) have been theoretically predicted to have a band gap that could be tuned by tailoring their width and edge geometry (zigzag or armchair). Moreover, atomic control of size and edges may lead to novel mechanism of spin splitting of the energy bands. That is why much attention is paid to bottom up approaches to obtain GNRs with atomic control. GNRs have been produced in liquid phase exfoliation and by etching graphene using high resolution electron beam lithography. The first produces GNR with relatively uniform edges but the production yield is low compared to larger graphenes exfoliated in solution. The second approach produces ribbons with edges that have zigzag and armchair contributions, conditions that cannot be controlled or reproduced from ribbon to ribbon. Controlling the exact chemical structure of GNRs is a key to tailor the electronic and magnetic properties and this is therefore an open field of research offering many opportunities if the dream of graphene based (spin)electronics is to become possible. (ref.4)
Among the different Single Molecule Magnets, the class of the LnPc2 complexes has become extremely popular during the last years. The extraordinary magnetic properties exhibiting large uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in combination with unusually high blocking temperatures in the bulk (T>40K) and very efficient Quantum Tunnelling of the Magnetization. Among the different SMMs available, the class of the LnPc2 complexes has become extremely popular during the last years.
The extraordinary magnetic properties exhibiting large uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in combination with unusually high blocking temperatures in the bulk (T>40K) and very efficient Quantum Tunnelling of the Magnetization . ( Ref. 2 and 3)