The work of the research team focused on analysing the optoelectronic and vibrational properties of a particular class of halogen-terminated carbon atomic wires known as polyinos. Various analysis techniques (such as UV-Vis and infrared absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and DFT Density Functional Theory calculations) were used in the experiments to understand how the length of the carbon wires and the type of halogen affected the electronic structure of these materials.

What makes this research significant is the discovery that varying the length of the carbon chain is much more effective in modulating these properties than changing the halogen end group. Furthermore, it was found that there is a systematic difference between the vibrational modes of crystalline samples and solutions, providing important insights into the role of intermolecular interactions in solid samples.

Professor Carlo Spartaco Casari, co-author of the paper and lecturer in the Department of Energy, comments:

‘Our research represents a significant step forward in understanding the electronic properties of these carbon nanostructures. By showing that carbon chain length is crucial in modulating these properties, we open up new perspectives for the application of these structures in areas such as opto-electronics and renewable energy.