Molecular swarm rearranges surface structures atom by atom
New study: Nano-scientists develop a molecular tool to change the structure of a metal surface
The surface of metals plays a key role in many technologically relevant areas, such as catalysis, sensor technology and battery research. For example, the large-scale production of many chemical compounds takes place on metal surfaces, whose atomic structure determines if and how molecules react with one another. At the same time, the surface structure of a metal influences its electronic properties. This is particularly important for the efficiency of electronic components in batteries. Researchers worldwide are therefore working intensively on developing new kinds of methods to tailor the structure of metal surfaces at the atomic level.
The new method makes it possible to develop new materials with specific chemical and physical properties – entirely without macroscopic tools. “In industrial applications often macroscopic tools, such presses or rollers, are used,” Amirjalayer continues. “In biology, these tasks are undertaken by certain molecules. Our work shows a promising class of synthesized molecules which uses a similar approach to modify the surface.” The team of researchers hopes that their method will be used in future to develop for examples new types of electrode or to optimize chemical reactions on surfaces.
Funding:
The study received financial support from the German Research Foundation, some of it as part of Collaborative Research Centre SFB 858.
Original publication:
Saeed Amirjalayer, Anne Bakker, Matthias Freitag, Frank Glorius and Harald Fuchs (2020): Cooperation of N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes on a Gold Surface. Angewandte Chemie Int. Ed.; DOI: 10.1002/anie.202010634