Scanning probe microscopy can now be used to map the properties of single molecules with intramolecular precision by functionalization of the apex of the scanning probe tip with a single atom or molecule. Here we report on the mapping of the three-dimensional potential between fullerene (C60) molecules in different relative orientations, with sub-Angstrom resolution, using dynamic force microscopy (DFM). We introduce a visualization method which is capable of directly imaging the variation in equilibrium binding energy of different molecular orientations. We model the interaction using both a simple approach based around analytical Lennard–Jones potentials, and with dispersion-force-corrected density functional theory (DFT), and show that the positional variation in the binding energy between the molecules is dominated by the onset of repulsive interactions. Our modelling suggests that variations in the dispersion interaction are masked by repulsive interactions even at displacements significantly larger than the equilibrium intermolecular separation.
Claims that dynamic force microscopy has the capability to resolve intermolecular bonds in real space continue to be vigorously debated. To date, studies have been restricted to planar molecular assemblies with small separations between neighboring molecules. Here we report the observation of intermolecular artifacts over much larger distances in 2D assemblies of C 60 molecules, with compelling evidence that in our case the tip apex is terminated by a C 60 molecule (rather than the CO termination typically exploited in ultrahigh resolution force microscopy). The complete absence of directional interactions such as hydrogen or halogen bonding, the nonplanar structure of C 60 , and the fullerene termination of the tip apex in our case highlight that intermolecular artifacts are ubiquitous in dynamic force microscopy.
Structural, electronic and optical properties of niobium doped ZnS are studied by using full-potential linearized augmented plane wave plus local orbital (FPLAPW+lo) method within the density functional theory (DFT). Computed results of Nb doped ZnS are compared with that of the pristine zinc blende. Tran-Blaha approach of modified Becke and Johnson local spin density approximation (TB-mBJ) is used to study electronic and optical properties. Estimated result shows that Nb reduces the bandgap of ZnS due to hybridization of Nb-4d orbital with S-3p orbital near the Fermi level. Niobium dopant provides half metallic nature to ZnS with 100% spin polarization. Maximum photo-response is noticed in the ultraviolet range for Zn1-xNbxS (x = 25, 12.5, 6.25 %). Highest peaks are shifted toward the lower energy range for higher dopant percentage. All these suggest that Nb doped ZnS solid solutions are suitable candidate for both energy filter of UV spectrum and spintronic device.
Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 69(3): 194-201, 2022 (June)
SummaryIt has recently been shown that ‘sub-atomic’ contrast can be observed during NC-AFM imaging of the Si(111)-7×7 substrate with a passivated tip, resulting in triangular shaped atoms [Sweetman et al. Nano Lett.
2014, 14, 2265]. The symmetry of the features, and the well-established nature of the dangling bond structure of the silicon adatom means that in this instance the contrast cannot arise from the orbital structure of the atoms, and it was suggested by simple symmetry arguments that the contrast could only arise from the backbonding symmetry of the surface adatoms. However, no modelling of the system has been performed in order to understand the precise origin of the contrast. In this paper we provide a detailed explanation for ‘sub-atomic’ contrast observed on Si(111)-7×7 using a simple model based on Lennard-Jones potentials, coupled with a flexible tip, as proposed by Hapala et al. [Phys. Rev. B
2014, 90, 085421] in the context of interpreting sub-molecular contrast. Our results show a striking similarity to experimental results, and demonstrate how ‘sub-atomic’ contrast can arise from a flexible tip exploring an asymmetric potential created due to the positioning of the surrounding surface atoms.
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