Manipulating Surface Diffusion Ability of Single Molecules by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

Zhong DY, Franke J, Blömker T, Erker G, Chi LF, Fuchs H

Research article (journal) | Peer reviewed

Abstract

The bonding of single diferrocene [Fc(CH2)(14)Fc, Fc = ferrocenyl] molecules on a metal surface can be enhanced by partial decomposition of Fc groups induced by the tunneling current in scanning tunneling microscopy. Although the isolated intact molecule is mobile on the terrace of Cu(110) at 78 K, the modified molecule is immobilized on the terrace. Calculations based on density functional theory indicate that the hollow site of the Cu(110) surface is the energetically favorable adsorption site for both ferrocene and the Fe-cyclopentadienyl complex, but the latter one possesses a much higher binding energy with the substrate.

Details about the publication

JournalNano Letters (Nano Lett.)
Volume9
Issue1
Page range132-136
StatusPublished
Release year2009 (31/01/2009)
Language in which the publication is writtenEnglish
DOI10.1021/nl802677c
Keywordsaugmented-wave method chemical-reaction ferrocene adsorption desorption deposition resonance ag(100) benzene cu(110)

Authors from the University of Münster

Chi, Lifeng
Interface Physics Group (Prof. Fuchs)
Erker, Gerhard
Professur für Organische Chemie (Prof. Erker)
Franke, Jörn-Holger
Institute of Physics (PI)
Fuchs, Harald
Interface Physics Group (Prof. Fuchs)
Zhong, Dingyong
Institute of Physics (PI)