Molecular assembly at surfaces

DIPC Seminars

Speaker

Rasmita Raval, Surface Science Research Centre, University of Liverpool, UK

When

2017/09/19
14:00

Place

Donostia International Physics Center

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Molecular assembly at surfaces R Raval The Surface Science Research Centre, University of Liverpool, L69 3BX, UK. The nanoscale details of how complex molecular organisations and architectures are nucleated, controlled and propagated at surfaces have now begun to emerge from scanning probe microscopy, a powerful range of surface science techniques and periodic density functional theory. Organised molecular assemblies give rise to important functions such as molecular recognition, chirality, adaptive behaviour and confined motion that are important in functional interfaces and new materials. Furthermore, the transition towards robust, covalent assemblies will be demonstrated via on-surface synthesis of macromolecules using clean, generic connection strategies that utilise the C-H bond as a synthon. Scanning tunneling microscopy reveals that covalent macromolecular heterostructures, displaying diverse compositions, structures and topologies, are created from distinct building blocks, including porphyrins, pentacene and perylene. This strategy opens up the capability to generate libraries of multivariate macromolecules directly at a surface that, in conjunction with nanoscale probing techniques, could accelerate the discovery of functional interfaces.