Two dimensional supramolecular networks on insulators: structural organisation, fluorescence and host-guest interactions

该项目的重点是在分子水平上控制分子组织的能力，特别是确定它们的精确定位，并了解它们的相对位置对其荧光的影响。这项研究建立在我们最近发现的基础上，即通过原子力显微镜（AFM）可以在大气条件下以高精度在绝缘表面上结构化分子阵列，超越了以前使用导电表面的研究。因此，我们现在能够探测分子的性质，如荧光，这是以前由支持，导电表面淬灭。我们现在试图了解这些性质可以控制到什么程度，以及如何捕获的客体分子在我们的阵列，这是多孔的，影响荧光。我们将开发一个详细的理解的客体捕获的效果的表面为基础的阵列，并证明，通过荧光信号的变化，我们可以特异性地识别被困的客体分子对分子规模的传感系统的工作。

This project focuses on the ability to control the organisation of molecules on the molecular level, to specifically determine their precise positioning and to understand the effect of their relative positions on their fluorescence. The study builds upon our recent discovery that it is possible to structurally characterise molecular arrays on insulating surfaces under atmospheric conditions with a high degree of precision by atomic force microscopy (AFM), moving beyond previous studies that used conducting surfaces. As a result we are now able to probe molecular properties, such as fluorescence, which were previously quenched by the supporting, conducting surface.We now seek to understand to what degree these properties can be controlled and how entrapment of guest molecules within our arrays, which are porous, affects that fluorescence. We will develop a detailed understanding of the effect of guest trapping by the surface-based arrays and demonstrate that through change in the fluorescence signal we can specifically recognise trapped guest molecules working towards molecular-scale sensing systems.