Resolving Intra- and Inter-Molecular Structure with Non-Contact Atomic Force Microscopy

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Samuel Paul Jarvis¹ 

[1] School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; E-Mail

关键词: atomic force microscopy;    intramolecular;    intermolecular;    NC-AFM;    supramolecular;    hydrogen;    bond;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms160819936

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

A major challenge in molecular investigations at surfaces has been to image individual molecules, and the assemblies they form, with single-bond resolution. Scanning probe microscopy, with its exceptionally high resolution, is ideally suited to this goal. With the introduction of methods exploiting molecularly-terminated tips, where the apex of the probe is, for example, terminated with a single CO, Xe or H₂ molecule, scanning probe methods can now achieve higher resolution than ever before. In this review, some of the landmark results related to attaining intramolecular resolution with non-contact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) are summarised before focussing on recent reports probing molecular assemblies where apparent intermolecular features have been observed. Several groups have now highlighted the critical role that flexure in the tip-sample junction plays in producing the exceptionally sharp images of both intra- and apparent inter-molecular structure. In the latter case, the features have been identified as imaging artefacts, rather than real intermolecular bonds. This review discusses the potential for NC-AFM to provide exceptional resolution of supramolecular assemblies stabilised via a variety of intermolecular forces and highlights the potential challenges and pitfalls involved in interpreting bonding interactions.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the author; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.