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性质和功能的未来分子器件。虽然分子在金属表面的自组装已经得到了广泛的研究，但分子与电介质表面相互作用的研究仍处于起步阶段。在这个艾美Noether项目的第一部分，原子分辨率的电介质基板表面的图像获得。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的介电衬底上的单向生长。该应用程序直接建立在项目第一部分所取得的成果之上。这个项目的重点是探索分子结构的形成后，共吸附的有机分子上真正的绝缘基板。分子共吸附在分子自组装中提供了进一步的灵活性和控制，允许精确调节结构性质。互补分子将被研究，以及分子已知的建设扩展网络，可以作为主机进一步的客人分子。另一种创造新分子结构的有前途的方法是沉积分子种类，这些分子种类可以在自组装后改变构象。在这个项目中，开关分子将被调查和光和电压脉冲诱导的构象变化将被探索。

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.