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How to control single-molecule rotation

Author

Listed:
  • Grant J. Simpson

    (University of Graz)

  • Víctor García-López

    (Rice University)

  • A. Daniel Boese

    (University of Graz)

  • James M. Tour

    (Rice University)

  • Leonhard Grill

    (University of Graz)

Abstract

The orientation of molecules is crucial in many chemical processes. Here, we report how single dipolar molecules can be oriented with maximum precision using the electric field of a scanning tunneling microscope. Rotation is found to occur around a fixed pivot point that is caused by the specific interaction of an oxygen atom in the molecule with the Ag(111) surface. Both directions of rotation are realized at will with 100% directionality. Consequently, the internal dipole moment of an individual molecule can be spatially mapped via its behavior in an applied electric field. The importance of the oxygen-surface interaction is demonstrated by the addition of a silver atom between a single molecule and the surface and the consequent loss of the pivot point.

Suggested Citation

  • Grant J. Simpson & Víctor García-López & A. Daniel Boese & James M. Tour & Leonhard Grill, 2019. "How to control single-molecule rotation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-12605-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12605-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Tolulope Michael Ajayi & Vijay Singh & Kyaw Zin Latt & Sanjoy Sarkar & Xinyue Cheng & Sineth Premarathna & Naveen K. Dandu & Shaoze Wang & Fahimeh Movahedifar & Sarah Wieghold & Nozomi Shirato & Volke, 2022. "Atomically precise control of rotational dynamics in charged rare-earth complexes on a metal surface," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.

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