A new approach to grafting a monolayer of oriented Mn12 nanomagnets on silicon

Abstract

The functionalisation of a Si(100) silicon wafer allows for the oriented grafting of a monolayer of Mn12 nanomagnets using a two-step procedure.

Investigation of the stability of Mn12 single molecule magnets

“…However, experiments on the magnetic properties of individual Mn 12 molecules require the ability to deposit and address intact molecules on a surface. With respect to this, there have been several approaches to graft Mn 12 molecules on different surfaces [8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. However, the conservation of the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of Mn 12 SMMs upon deposition on surfaces could not be unambiguously confirmed so far.…”

Single-Molecule Magnets: A New Approach To Investigate the Electronic Structure of Mn12 Molecules by Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy

“…For STS investigations, Mn 12 complexes must be grafted to an appropriate surface. Recently, several different approaches to this goal have been reported, such as direct deposition of Mn 12 complexes via sulfur containing ligands, [16][17][18][19] bonding of Mn 12 complexes to functionalized Au(111) or Si(100) surfaces via ligand-exchange reaction, [20][21][22] 23 In a recent study 24 the direct deposition of a Mn 12 complex via sulfur-containing ligands on the bare Au(111) surface was compared with the bonding of the same Mn 12 complex to a functionalized Au(111) surface via ligand exchange reaction. In the case of direct deposition the complete destruction of Mn 12 clusters due to the strong gold-sulfur interaction was revealed.…”

Experimental observation of a band gap in individual Mn12 molecules on Au(111)

“…11 Scanning tunneling microscopy ͑STM͒ has also been implemented to probe Mn 12 molecules deposited on different surfaces. 8,[12][13][14][15][16][17] However, these studies have mainly been limited to the investigation of the Mn 12 layer topography without addressing the electronic properties of the Mn 12 molecules. Moreover, the existing difficulties with the preparation of intact molecular surface layers hamper the investigation of the molecular electronic structure and transport.…”