Unconventional fabrication of 2D nanostructures and graphene edges

In this work, we illustrate unconventional approaches towards the fabrication of edge functionalized graphene nanostructures and bidimensional architectures in polymeric and metallic supports, with an outlook towards molecular sensing devices. Particularly, starting from the most established knowledge on the chemistry of graphene, we selectively functionalize the edges of graphene either via electrochemistry, plasma chemistry and solution chemistry. In fact, the chemistry at the edges, particularly at the nanoscale, tailors the properties of graphene without perturbing the honeycomb lattice of carbon atoms, thus without compromising the intrinsic nature of graphene. Via unconventional tools such as microtomy and molecular break junctions, we finally realize chemically designed platforms such as transistors, nanogaps and nanoribbons to be further integrated into sensing devices, such as zero-depth nanopore. Remarkably, we demonstrate the possibility of achieving extremely precise graphene nanostructures while going beyond the highly complicated demands of conventional top-down fabrications. At the same time, we specifically address the chemistry at the edges of graphene moving beyond synthetic approaches. Selectively edge functionalized graphene becomes available also on large area films and tailored graphene nanostructures, looking for the integration of graphene in the next generation sensing devices.