Cross-step place-exchange of oligo(phenylene-ethynylene) molecules.

Moore, Amanda M; Mantooth, Brent A; Donhauser, Zachary J; Maya, Francisco; Price, David W; Yao, Yuxing; Tour, James M; Weiss, Paul S · Nano Lett · 2005

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

We have observed nitro-functionalized oligo(phenylene-ethynylene) molecules exhibiting motion up and down Au{111} substrate monatomic step edges within host self-assembled monolayers of n-alkanethiols, independent of previously observed conductance switching. Single molecules have been imaged with scanning tunneling microscopy to place-exchange reversibly between the top and bottom of monatomic substrate step edges.