The combination of photoelectron spectroscopies and scanning tunneling microscopy present in our experimental setup, together with a fully equipped preparation chamber, allows us to perform the growth and characterization of many nanomaterials and different types of samples, prepared both in-situ and ex-situ. Representative examples of various activities are listed below.

• S-based 2D nanostructures: in recent years, the on-surface synthesis of novel carbon-based, low-dimensional nanomaterials is spreading out. Some of these nanostructures host heteroatoms, such as sulfur, that promote further interaction and stabilization of adjacent polymeric chains. We offer tools to characterize the composition and bonding motifs of such novel phases.

• Porphyrin chains: the on-surface synthesis strategies make possible the nanoscale fabrication of porphyrin covalent chains. Both free-base and metalated porphyrins can form such polymers, and depending on the type of metal atom in the molecular core, magnetism can arise and the study of the interaction between these magnetic centers becomes possible. In our laboratory, we provide support to the characterization of these porphyrin chains.

• MXenes: these 2D layered materials entail a variety of appealing physical and chemical properties, and hold great promise for a wide number of applications. One of such perspectives is their employment in photovoltaics. For instance, given the wide work function range (3.7-5.2 eV) of MXenes, they are used to optimize the band alignment and increase the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells. We study new types of MXenes and determine their work function.

• Oxides (ZnO, CeO2, …): the experimental setup present in our laboratory is suited for the study of a wide plethora of materials, including oxides. We support the characterization of various oxides and provide tools to the optimization of their preparation recipes.

Relevant publications