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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Light-driven Molecular Motors on Surfaces for Single Molecular Imaging
08:40

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Published on: March 13, 2019

Reversible single molecular switch operating at 300 K on a surface.

Mohamed El Garah1, Bulent Baris, Vincent Luzet

  • 1Institut FEMTO-ST, Université de Franche-Comté, CNRS, ENSMM, 32, Avenue de l'Observatoire, 25044 Besancon cedex, France.

Chemphyschem : a European Journal of Chemical Physics and Physical Chemistry
|July 29, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Single molecule conformational switching was observed at room temperature on a silicon surface. Tunneling electrons induced reversible changes in a 4-pyridylazobenzene molecule via phenyl group rotation.

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Area of Science:

  • Surface science
  • Molecular electronics
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Understanding single-molecule behavior is crucial for developing nanoscale devices.
  • Controlling molecular conformation is key to tuning material properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To observe and induce conformational switching in a single 4-pyridylazobenzene molecule at room temperature.
  • To investigate the mechanism of electron-induced molecular switching on a semiconductor surface.

Main Methods:

  • Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) was used to visualize a single molecule.
  • Tunneling electrons from the STM tip were employed to induce molecular conformational changes.

Main Results:

  • A single 4-pyridylazobenzene molecule was successfully imaged on a silicon (Si(111)-B) surface at room temperature.
  • Reversible conformational switching of the molecule was achieved and observed.
  • The switching mechanism was identified as an intramolecular rotation of a phenyl group, distinct from N=N bond isomerization.

Conclusions:

  • Single-molecule conformational switching is achievable at room temperature on semiconductor surfaces.
  • Electron-induced intramolecular rotation offers a pathway for controlling molecular states at the nanoscale.
  • This work demonstrates potential for manipulating molecular functionality using scanning tunneling microscopy.