Unidirectional adsorbate motion on a high-symmetry surface: "walking" molecules can stay the course.
Step edges and low-symmetry faces of metal crystals can restrict the diffusive motion of adsorbates, yet they offer little flexibility with regards to the location and/or direction of the guided motion. We show inherently unidirectional motion of an organic molecule on a high-symmetry thermodynamic-equilibrium metal surface [Cu(111)]. Sequential placement of the substrate linkers of 9,10-dithioanthracene prevents it from rotating or veering off course. A combination of low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory simulations provide atomistic insight.
Kwon
Ki-Young
KY
Pierce Hall, University of California, Riverside, 92521, USA.
Wong
Kin L
KL
Pawin
Greg
G
Bartels
Ludwig
L
Stolbov
Sergey
S
Rahman
Talat S
TS