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Updated: May 12, 2026
Light-driven Molecular Motors on Surfaces for Single Molecular Imaging
Published on: March 13, 2019
Silanization of quartz, silicon and mica surfaces with light-driven molecular motors: construction of surface-bound
Gábor London1, Gregory T Carroll, Ben L Feringa
1Centre for Systems Chemistry, Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
The attachment of molecular rotary motors containing triethoxysilane functional groups to quartz, silicon and mica surfaces is described. Motors containing silane coupling agents in their structure form stable molecular layers on quartz and silicon surfaces. Motors attached to these surfaces were found to undergo photochemical and thermal isomerization steps similar to those observed in solution. Additionally, successful formation of molecular "carpets" on atomically flat mica extending micrometer-sized length scales is presented. These "carpets" were found to undergo morphological changes upon irradiation with UV-light.
