title: Isolated and linear arrays of surfactant-encapsulated polyoxometalate clusters on graphite.
abstract: We report on the self-assembly of several surfactant-encapsulated clusters (SECs) on the basal plane of graphite consisting of the doughnut-shaped tungstophosphate anion [Na(H2O)P5W30O110] covered by a hydrophobic shell of surfactants. Well-ordered rodlike structures are observed using scanning force microscopy. No such ordering is observed if the surfactant methyltrioctadecylammonium is used for encapsulation, suggesting that the density of alkyl chains around the polyoxometalate cluster is an important factor in determining the order of SEC assemblies on graphite. Coadsorption of tetratetracontane (n-C44H90) and (DODA)14[Na(H2O)P5W30O110] results in single, isolated SECs on a buffer layer of tetratetracontane, as determined by scanning tunneling microscopy.
authors.affiliation: University of Kentucky, Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, USA.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Volkmer
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bredenkötter
authors.forename: Dirk G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Kurth
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rabe
mesh_terms: D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D014414:Tungsten / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D006108:Graphite; D014414:Tungsten