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Self‐Organized Monolayers: A Route to Conformational Switching and Read‐Out of Functional Supramolecular Assemblies by Scanning Probe Methods
Author(s) -
Hermann B. A.,
Scherer L. J.,
Housecroft C. E.,
Constable E. C.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.200500264
Subject(s) - monolayer , scanning tunneling microscope , dendrimer , nanotechnology , materials science , self assembly , supramolecular chemistry , molecule , graphite , chemistry , organic chemistry , polymer chemistry , composite material
Self‐organized molecular layers provide a promising route to constructing new (switchable) nanodevices and optimizing nanosensors. The design of such molecules involves control of structure and stabilization on the surface, as well as control of functionality. The search for a potentially universal “adapter”, which can control the self‐organization and stabilization on a particular type of surface, is a unique challenge. High‐quality nanoscale imaging using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) provides the means to further such studies. This article reviews our recent STM work on single molecules, self‐assembled monolayers, and self‐organized monolayers, highlighting our application of a general “self‐organizer” for graphite surfaces, i.e., a Fréchet‐type dendron. How powerfully this self‐organizing motif can affect various central components (catalytic, switchable, redox‐active) on a graphite surface is addressed by analyzing self‐organized monolayers of nine different molecules, each containing at least one first‐ or second‐generation Fréchet‐type dendron. In molecular layers containing a “switchable” core, we can detect a large conformational change upon protonation with HCl gas. Last, but not least, the dynamic surface organization properties of the Fréchet‐type dendrons are described.