Creating a regular array of metal-complexing molecules on an insulator surface at room temperature.

ABSTRACT: Controlling self-assembled nanostructures on bulk insulators at room temperature is crucial towards the fabrication of future molecular devices, e.g., in the field of nanoelectronics, catalysis and sensor applications. However, at temperatures realistic for operation anchoring individual molecules on electrically insulating support surfaces remains a big challenge. Here, we present the formation of an ordered array of single anchored molecules, dimolybdenum tetraacetate, on the (10.4) plane of calcite (CaCO₃). Based on our combined study of atomic force microscopy measurements and density functional theory calculations, we show that the molecules neither diffuse nor rotate at room temperature. The strong anchoring is explained by electrostatic interaction of an ideally size-matc

SUBMITTER: Aeschlimann S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7752910 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature