Self-assembly and photomechanical switching of an azobenzene derivative on GaAs(110): Scanning tunneling microscopy study

Ivan V. Pechenezhskiy, Jongweon Cho, Giang D. Nguyen, Luis Berbil-Bautista, Brandon L. Giles, Daniel A. Poulsen, Jean M.J. Fréchet, Michael F. Crommie*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    21 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Self-assembly and light-induced mechanical switching of azobenzene derivatives deposited on GaAs(110) were explored at the single molecule level using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). 3,3′,5,5′-Tetra-tert- butylazobenzene (TTB-AB) molecules in the trans isomer configuration were found to form well-ordered islands on GaAs(110). After exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, the TTB-AB molecules exhibited conformational changes attributed to trans to cis photoisomerization. Photoisomerization of TTB-AB/GaAs is observed to occur preferentially in one-dimensional (1D) stripes. This 1D cascade behavior differs significantly from optically induced switching behavior observed when TTB-AB molecules are placed on a gold surface.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)1052-1055
    Number of pages4
    JournalJOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
    Volume116
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Jan 12 2012

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
    • General Energy
    • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
    • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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