Employing molecular co-adsorption and switchable molecules for increasing structural complexity in self-assembly on dielectric substrates

分子在表面上的自组装是一种很有前途的策略，可以创造出具有定制特性和功能的未来分子器件。虽然分子在金属表面上的自组装已经得到了广泛的研究，但分子与电介质表面的相互作用的研究还处于起步阶段。在这个艾美诺特项目的第一部分中，获得了介电基片表面的原子分辨图像。我们沉积了各种有机分子，并观察到单个分子、扩展的分子结构以及在不同介质衬底上的单向生长。这个应用程序直接建立在项目第一部分取得的成果的基础上。该项目的重点是探索有机分子在真正绝缘的衬底上共吸附时的分子结构形成。分子共吸附在分子自组装中提供了进一步的灵活性和可控性，允许精确地调整结构属性。将研究互补分子，以及以构建扩展网络而闻名的分子，这些网络可以作为更多客体分子的宿主。另一种有希望创造新的分子结构的方法是沉积分子物种，这些分子物种在自组装后可以改变构象。在这个项目中，将研究可切换分子，并探索光和电压脉冲诱导的构象变化。

Molecular self-assembly on surfaces represents a promising strategy for creating future molecular devices with tailor-made properties and functionality. While molecular selfassembly has been studied extensively on metallic surfaces, the investigation of molecular interactions with dielectric surfaces is still in its infancy. Within the first part of this Emmy Noether-project, atomically resolved images of dielectric substrate surfaces were obtained. We deposited various organic molecules and observed individual molecules, extended molecular structures as well as uni-directional growth on different dielectric substrates. This application directly builds on the achievements obtained in the fist part of the project. The focus of this project is on exploring molecular structure formation upon coadsorption of organic molecules on truly insulating substrates. Molecular co-adsorption provides further flexibility and control in molecular self-assembly, allowing for precise tuning of structural properties. Complementary molecules will be studied as well as molecules known for building extended networks that can serve as host for further guest molecules. Another promising approach for creating novel molecular structures is deposition of molecular species that can change conformation after self-assembly. In this project, switchable molecules will be investigated and light- and voltage-pulse induced conformational changes will be explored.