Graphene nanoribbons with zigzag edges (ZGNR) are predicted to host spin-polarized electronic edge states that would make them suitable for spintronics applications.
The synthesis of atomically precise ZGNR has now been demonstrated using a bottom-up strategy based on surface-assisted arrangement and reaction of precursor monomers.

This work was carried out in the groups of Prof. Roman Fasel (Univ. Bern & Empa), Prof. Klaus Müllen (MPI Mainz), and Prof. Xinliang Feng (TU Dresden).

References:

• P. Ruffieux, S. Wang, B. Yang, C. Sánchez-Sánchez, J. Liu, T. Dienel, L. Talirz, P. Shinde, C. A. Pignedoli, D. Passerone, T. Dumslaff, X. Feng, K. Müllen, R. Fasel;
  "On-surface synthesis of graphene nanoribbons with zigzag edge topology"
  Nature, 2016, 531(7595), 489-492; doi:10.1038/nature17151.