GRK 2861:  Planar Carbon Lattices

• Subject Area: Chemical Solid State and Surface Research ; Molecular Chemistry ; Condensed Matter Physics ; Physical Chemistry ; Polymer Research ; Theoretical Chemistry
• Term: since 2023
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 491865171

Planar carbon lattices (PCLs) are sp2-carbon-rich atomic-precision materials whose basal plane forms a 1D or 2D lattice. They include graphene nanoribbons, patterned graphene, 2D metal-organic/covalent-organic frameworks, 2D polymers, and their nanoribbons. Precision-synthesis approaches enable the atomically controlled formation of these materials with a high degree of long-range order. PCLs couple the rich chemical variety of planar molecular building units with the structural diversity of 2D lattices. The intriguing properties emerging from this combination include tunable non-trivial electronic topology and catalytic activity. Further advances of this field require dedicated work on synthesis approaches combined with advanced microscopy, in situ spectroscopy, device assembly, and theory. We will address these points in the proposed RTG in three Research Areas. The RTG covers the synthesis of PCLs, their properties and functions, and experimental and theoretical tools. The RTG benefits from the complementary infrastructure at TUD and FAU. Owing to the enormous current progress and the interdisciplinary character of the field, to date there is no educational concept available that offers classes, literature, and laboratory training beyond specialized individual lectures and original research papers. We will develop the standard in research-based PCL education by an interdisciplinary research and qualification program bridging chemistry, physics, and materials science, by developing open-access online lectures and tutorials for PCL science (both basic and advanced ones), and by publishing an open textbook on PCLs. The qualification program is complemented by annual summer/winter schools, a visiting program, and laboratory rotations. We will educate 28 doctoral researchers per cohort to become world-class scientists in the field of advanced nanomaterials with focus on PCLs. The two-site research and training is facilitated by a virtual research environment where digital classes are combined with online tools to share information and research data. Latest developments of NFDI FAIRmat will be integrated in the RTG workflows. Besides our ongoing efforts to foster the career of women in science we will embrace scientists from developing countries to join the topic and the applying universities by involving Mercator fellows as role models, associating excellent postdoctoral researchers from developing countries, and providing two diversity qualification fellowships for prospective doctoral researchers.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität Dresden
• Co-Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Thomas Heine
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Eike Brunner; Renhao Dong, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Xinliang Feng; Dr. Dorothea Golze; Professor Dr. Dirk M. Guldi; Professor Dr. Marcus Halik; Professor Dr. Andreas Hirsch; Professor Dr. Stefan Kaskel; Professorin Dr. Sabine Maier; Professorin Dr. Janina Maultzsch; Professor Dr. Hans-Peter Steinrück; Professor Dr. Heiko B. Weber; Professorin Dr. Inez Weidinger