Tunability of Supramolecular Kagome Lattices of Magnetic Phthalocyanines Using Graphene-Based Moiré Patterns as Templates

Abstract

Self-assembly of various phthalocyanine (Pc) molecules and a derivative on an epitaxial graphene monolayer (MG) has been investigated by means of in situ ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy. The formation of regular Kagome lattices that duplicate the lattice of the moire pattern of MG was observed, demonstrating that MG can act as a wonderful template for the fabrication of unique nanoarchitectures with remarkable properties. Varying the central metal ion of the Pc molecule affords Kagome lattices with tunable molecular spins, providing ideal two-dimensional model systems for studying frustration physics.