"People realized that it's not a dream molecule, that it is possible to synthesize it," says Kenichiro Itami of the RIKEN Molecule Creation Laboratory, highlighting the impact of recent advances in nanobelt synthesis.
In 2025, RIKEN chemists in Japan announced a breakthrough: a fast and simple method for creating carbon nanobelts fused with thiophene, a sulfur-containing compound. This novel material exhibits unique properties, making it a promising candidate for use in advanced optoelectronic devices.
Carbon nanobelts, cross-sections of carbon nanotubes, have long been sought after for their potential in electronics. The new method involves a "single-shot reaction" that even surprised the researchers with its simplicity.
The resulting thiophene-fused nanobelts exhibit intriguing behavior, aligning differently on copper and gold surfaces. This unexpected alignment is currently under investigation to understand the underlying mechanisms.
Beyond their chemical novelty, these nanobelts hold significant potential for optoelectronic applications and polar materials. International collaborations are already underway to explore their use in devices.
The success of this synthesis opens doors for creating other types of carbon nanobelts. Itami and his team are actively exploring the possibilities for creating even more novel molecules.