On-surface synthesis of different boron–nitrogen–carbon heterostructures from dimethylamine borane

We present here a novel approach to achieve the selective formation of different in-plane boron–nitrogen–carbon heterostructures on Pt(111) using a single molecular precursor, namely dimethylamine borane (DMAB). Through thermally activated decomposition and sequential bond activation it is possible to control intermolecular coupling and obtain alternatively a quasi–free–standing continuous monolayer formed by complementary hexagonal boron nitride and graphene (G) large-size domains, or a pure or doped G monolayer, or hybridized layers with non-planar bonds. The selective bond–bond coupling is achieved by controlling the substrate temperature either during or after the deposition of DMAB. This allows on-surface synthesis of B–N–C materials with tunable composition.