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Project

Probing chirality, induction of chirality, enantioselective adsorption, and phase behavior at the liquid-solid interface using scanning probe microscopy.

Surfaces and interfaces are everywhere. The properties of surfaces can be modified or altered by the adsorption of molecules. While in many cases, such thin films are disordered, forming and controlling two-dimensional (2D) molecular patterns on surfaces has many important implications. Through appropriate manipulation of intermolecular interactions and molecule-substrate interactions one can “encode” the information at the molecular level via structural features such as shape, functional groups, etc. A clearer understanding and effective use of these interactions could lead to the development of functional surfaces with potential applications in molecular electronics, chiral separations, sensors based on hostguest systems, thin film materials for lubrication-to mention a few. In this project, we aim at functionalizing surfaces via the formation of so-called 2D crystals, by directing the molecular self-assembly process of chiral molecules, or mixtures of chiral and achiral molecules. Scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic force microscopy will be used to visualize the surface-supported molecular nanopatterns. In particular, via temperature dependent  xperiments, the phase behavior of multicomponent systems will be investigated. In addition, the selective adsorption of chiral molecules from a surface will be targeted.

Date:1 Oct 2013 →  30 Sep 2014
Keywords:Probing chirality
Disciplines:Linguistics