Molecular arrangement of Cu-Pthalocyanine on a graphene/h-BN heterostructure

Metal phthalocyanine (M-Pc) molecules have a cross-like shape and host a metal atom at their center. These versatile molecules are compatible with almost all metal elements. When combined with graphene, interesting properties can emerge, adding functionalities derived from electronic correlations, spin-orbit coupling or magnetism from the central atom, as demonstrated recently for FePc [1]. Here, we present electronic transport measurements as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) characterization of a copper phthalocyanine/graphene/hexagonal boron nitride (CuPc/graphene/h-BN) heterostructure. Preliminary electronic transport data indicate that the molecular arrangement of CuPc on graphene has a profound effect on the differential conductance characteristics of the h-BN/Gr/CuPc.

[1]Chin. Phys. Lett, 38, 087201 (2021)