Surface-Enhanced Raman Signal for Terbium Single-Molecule Magnets Grafted on Graphene

We report the preparation and characterization of monolayer graphene decorated withfunctionalized single-molecule magnets (SMMs). The grafting ligands provide a homogeneous and selectivedeposition on graphene. The grafting is characterized by combined Raman microspectroscopy, atomic forcemicroscopy (AFM), and electron transport measurements. We observe a surface-enhanced Raman signal thatallowed us to study the grafting down to the limit of a few isolated molecules. The weak interaction throughcharge transfer is in agreement with ab initio DFT calculations. Our results indicate that both molecules andgraphene are essentially intact and the interaction is driven by van der Waals forces.