Cutting and self-healing molecular wires studied by dynamic force microscopy

Abstract

Tip-induced deformations of meso-(4-cyanophenyl)-substituted Zn(II) porphyrin molecular wires self-assembled on KBr(001) were studied by frequency modulation dynamic force microscopy. Since the wires are weakly bonded to the KBr substrate and to the neighboring molecules, they can easily be cut by the scanning tip. We found that the damaged molecular wires self-healed at room temperature.

Killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor along with HLA‐C ligand genes are associated with type 1 diabetes in Chinese Han population

“…Although organic molecules are ubiquitous, directly observing their effect on the structure of insulating surfaces is challenging as it requires atomic force microscopy (AFM) with atomic and molecular resolution at relevant temperatures,12–14 which is technically more difficult than imaging conducting surfaces with scanning tunnelling microscopy. High‐resolution noncontact AFM (nc‐AFM) imaging of molecular assemblies on insulating surfaces is well studied,15–19, 14 however high‐resolution measurements of single isolated molecules on insulators at room temperature was achieved only recently 20, 21. The main crystallographic planes of alkali halides are the surfaces of choice for such studies because they are easy to prepare and image,22 and are relatively inert.…”

Single-molecule switching with non-contact atomic force microscopy

“…Simultaneous manipulation of several molecules at room temperature has been performed by Kawai et al [25] as well as in our group [22]. In contrast to the latter studies, here we present the controlled switching of a single molecule at room temperature.…”

Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Single Molecules

“…Figure 8c shows a former rectangular KBr pit which was reconstructed while evaporating the truxene . a Before cutting with the AFM tip, b with two distinct cuts, and c self-healing at room temperature [32] molecules to the surface [35]. So the mechanical properties such as elasticity and mobility of molecules on the surfaces are crucial physical parameters to understand, control and predict molecular self-assemblies for applications.…”

“…Such structures are based on the formation of excitons along the wires and might be used in molecular electronics or machinery. Furthermore, contacting by metal clusters [11,24,33], controlled cutting and self-healing processes [32] have been observed and will be summarized.…”