A robust molecular probe for Ångstrom-scale analytics in liquids

Area of Science:

• Surface Science
• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Traditional nanomaterial profiling relies on scanning probes at vacuum-solid interfaces and cryogenic temperatures.
• This limits analysis to specific, controlled environments, excluding many real-world conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate atomic-scale imaging of materials at the liquid-solid interface under room temperature conditions.
• To extend the capabilities of single-molecule probes beyond vacuum and cryogenic settings.
• To enable high-precision analytics of organic elements and layered materials in ambient environments.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a scanning tunneling probe functionalized with a single C60 molecule.
• Stabilized the probe in a high-density liquid environment.
• Employed density functional theory (DFT) to clarify the electronic structure of the probe complex.

Main Results:

• Achieved atom-by-atom controllable imaging contrast at room temperature.
• Resolved low-dimensional surface defects and atomic interfaces in single-layer graphene and MoS2.
• Captured Ångstrom-level bond-length variations with atomic-scale sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• Operating robust single-molecular probes is feasible outside of ultra-high vacuum and cryogenic conditions.
• This advancement expands the scope of high-precision analytics to include sub-molecular features of organic materials.
• Facilitates gauging the ambient compatibility of emerging layered materials under less stringent experimental conditions.