Correlated rotational switching in two-dimensional self-assembled molecular rotor arrays

Molecular devices are capable of performing a number of functions from mechanical motion to simple computation. Their utility is somewhat limited, however, by difficulties associated with coupling them with either each other or with interfaces such as electrodes. Self-assembly of coupled molecular d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature communications 2017-07, Vol.8 (1), p.16057-16057, Article 16057
Main Authors: Wasio, Natalie A., Slough, Diana P., Smith, Zachary C., Ivimey, Christopher J., Thomas III, Samuel W., Lin, Yu-Shan, Sykes, E. Charles H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
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142/136
639/638/542/968
Arrays
Construction
Correlation
Coupling (molecular)
Crystals
Devices
Experiments
Humanities and Social Sciences
Interfaces
Microscopy
Molecular structure
multidisciplinary
Rotors
Scanning
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Self-assembly
Statistical analysis
Switches
Switching
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Summary:Molecular devices are capable of performing a number of functions from mechanical motion to simple computation. Their utility is somewhat limited, however, by difficulties associated with coupling them with either each other or with interfaces such as electrodes. Self-assembly of coupled molecular devices provides an option for the construction of larger entities that can more easily integrate with existing technologies. Here we demonstrate that ordered organometallic arrays can be formed spontaneously by reaction of precursor molecular rotor molecules with a metal surface. Scanning tunnelling microscopy enables individual rotors in the arrays to be switched and the resultant switches in neighbouring rotors imaged. The structure and dimensions of the ordered molecular rotor arrays dictate the correlated switching properties of the internal submolecular rotor units. Our results indicate that self-assembly of two-dimensional rotor crystals produces systems with correlated dynamics that would not have been predicted a priori . Single molecular machines are capable of a variety of functions, but methods to couple motion between them are still lacking. Here, Wasio et al . report the emergent behaviour of spontaneously formed two-dimensional crystals, which display correlated switching of their sub-molecular rotor units.
ISSN:2041-1723
2041-1723
DOI:10.1038/ncomms16057