Exploring photomechanical switching capability and self-assembly of individual molecules on semiconductor surfaces

ORAL

Abstract

Surface-bound photoactive organic molecules reveal substantially different photomechanical switching properties compared to when they are in solution-based environments. Metal surfaces, for example, often reduce photomechanical activity due to molecule-substrate interactions. Semiconductor surfaces are expected to induce different molecular switching behavior due to the presence of a band gap, potentially resulting in longer excited-state lifetimes and enhanced control of photomechanical properties. Here we report our exploration of single-molecule-resolved self-assembly and photomechanical switching capability of azobenzene derivatives on semiconducting GaAs(110) using variable temperature scanning tunneling microscopy.

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Authors

  • Jongweon Cho

    • University of California at Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Ivan V. Pechenezhskiy

    • University of California at Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Luis Berbil-Bautista

    • University of California at Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Daniel Poulsen

    • University of California at Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Jean M. J. Frechet

    • University of California at Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Michael F. Crommie

    • University of California at Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory