Traditionally, defects in materials are seen as flaws, but in graphene, specific defects can enhance its properties. The team developed a one-step chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process using azupyrene, a molecule that mimics the Stone–Wales defect in graphene. This allows for the direct incorporation of these defects during growth, creating graphene with embedded five- and seven-membered carbon rings within the typical six-ring lattice.

The new method, which avoids contamination and the need for post-processing, enables precise control over defect concentration by adjusting the growth temperature. Advanced microscopy confirmed the structure of the films, showing that higher temperatures produce structures closer to pristine graphene.

This breakthrough offers a route to creating graphene-based materials with customizable electronic, magnetic, and chemical properties, paving the way for applications in sensing and catalysis. The study highlights the potential of precursor design in defect engineering for more controlled, reproducible graphene production.

Published in Chemical Science, this research is a major step toward scalable, defect-engineered graphene for practical use.

Reference:
B. P. Klein et al., Chem. Sci., 2025, DOI: 10.1039/d5sc03699b