low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope/ atomic force microscope

• Subject Area: Molecular Chemistry
• Term: Funded in 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 449452449

The on-surface synthesis is a novel research area, which synergizes chemistry, physic and material science. In particular, the on-surface synthesis has been developing as a promising bottom-up synthesis for the fabrication of well-defined and atomically precise nanostructures. In contrast to the classical organic solution syntheses, the on-surface synthesis allows the investigation and characterization of novel nanostructures via low-temperature scanning tunneling– and atomic force microscopy. This proposed low-temperature scanning tunneling– and atomic force microscope will push the on-surface synthesis and characterization of unprecedented nanostructures. Although both proposers have excellent experiences in on-surface synthesis, the scientific fields of both working groups are complementary. Due to a strong and already established cooperation, both groups cover the whole spectrum of the on-surface synthesis, including organic synthesis of the precursor molecules. Besides the two main proposers, four other research groups are already interested in using this instrument and strongly support this proposal. All six research groups are strongly connected and have collaborations due to the proposed Collaborative Research Centre "Chemistry of Synthetic Two-Dimensional Materials". However, other interested research groups are highly welcome to use the instrument. The research focus of the proposed instrument is the on-surface synthesis of novel two-dimensional polymers (including two-dimensional organic covalent polymers and metal-organic polymers), graphene nanoribbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as well as molecular switches, machines and logic gates for electronics. Besides the synthesis and corresponding visualization via low-temperature scanning tunneling – and atomic force microscope, the investigations of the electronic properties, such as band gap or energy levels of the orbital frontiers, will be investigated by scanning tunnel spectroscopy. A further focus of the proposed device will be the development of novel reaction methodologies to form long graphene nanoribbons and highly crystalline two-dimensional polymers on the surface.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Tieftemperatur-Rastertunnelmikroskop und Rasterkraftmikroskop
• Instrumentation Group: 5091 Rasterkraft-Mikroskope
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität Dresden
• Leader: Professor Dr. Xinliang Feng