Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bertram Schulze Lammers, Damla Yesilpinar, Alexander Timmer, Zhixin Hu, Wei Ji, Saeed Amirjalayer, Harald Fuchs, Harry Monig
Summary: Controlling the identity of the tip-terminating atom or molecule in low-temperature atomic force microscopy has led to significant advances in surface chemistry and nanotechnology. Comparing four atomically defined tips, it was found that Cu-tips react with surface oxygen, while Xe and CO tips allow for increased resolution due to their chemical inertness. CuOx-tips, with higher rigidity and selectively increased chemical reactivity, prevent tip-bending artifacts and generate a distinct chemical contrast, which holds promise for future studies on metal-oxide surfaces.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mariano D. Jimenez-Sanchez, Ivan Brihuega, Nicoleta Nicoara, Julio Gomez-Herrero, Jose M. Gomez-Rodriguez
Summary: This study overcomes the challenge of loss of spatial resolution in Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) due to long-range interactions by selectively extracting single metallic nanoclusters grown on graphene. The created nanotips are stable and can be used to explore different surfaces without loss of resolution, opening up possibilities for specific functionalization of AFM tips to sense a variety of interactions.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Nadav Zimron-Politi, Ryan C. Tung
Summary: In this paper, we validate an experimental model of contact resonance atomic force microscopy designed for sensors with long, massive tips. We develop a new technique and graphical method for identifying unknown system parameters and experimentally validate both the technique and the contact resonance model. Our contact resonance experimental measurements show a minimal error of 1.4%-4.5% compared to values obtained from nanoindentation, demonstrating the accuracy of the new model and parameter identification technique.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Cheng Chen, Hui Li, Hongquan Li, Tian Yang
Summary: The study successfully extracted clean LSPR spectra using plasmonic antenna probes combined with various techniques, achieving nanometer-scale imaging of gold nanospheres and demonstrating the potential for higher-sensitivity microscopy.
REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuyao Zhang, Xiaoying Zhu, Bokai Zhu, Chiheng Chu, Baoliang Chen
Summary: The hydrophobicity of nanomaterials plays a crucial role in various interfacial phenomena. However, it is challenging to study the high-resolution surface hydrophobicity at the nanoscale. In this study, a chemical force microscopy technique is used to profile in situ hydrophobicity images with nanoscale resolution, providing significant improvement compared to traditional methods. The method is applied to recognize the spatial fine structure hydrophobicity of different materials and reveals new findings regarding the hydrophobicity of graphene oxides (GO) and the influence of wrinkles/edges on hydrophobicity. Furthermore, the technique enables the observation of local oxidation variation during interfacial reactions.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yongxiu Song, Bin Dai, Yong Wang, Yin Wang, Cong Liu, Pontus Gourdon, Lei Liu, Kaituo Wang, Mingdong Dong
Summary: This study used atomic force microscopy, cryo-electron microscopy, and molecular dynamics simulation to explore the molecular mechanism of amyloid peptide aggregation. The study discovered the role of helical fibrillar structure and hetero-zipper beta-sheet in peptide assembly, as well as the significance of hydrophobic core and hydrophilic area.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shideng Yuan, Xueyu Wang, Heng Zhang, Shiling Yuan
Summary: In this study, ReaxFF molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the oxidation of chemically passivated silicon surfaces. The results showed that oxidants diffuse into the silicon substrate through peroxy-like structures and the Si-alkyl covalent bond remains stable during oxidation. The chemical passivation mechanism involves the Si-C covalent bond occupying the active site and oxygen penetrating the Si-alkyl layers.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Solomon Davis, Uri Sivan
Summary: The conventional assumption that the tip of the silicon is infinitely stiffer than the force gradient between it and the test object is not true at short distances in aqueous environments, where the effective tip is an adsorbed water molecule. We introduce a new multifrequency technique to measure the surface force gradient independently from the weak H-bond.
Article
Physics, Applied
Abhilash Chandrashekar, Pierpaolo Belardinelli, Stefano Lenci, Urs Staufer, Farbod Alijani
Summary: This study successfully increased the sensitivity of higher harmonics of an atomic force microscope cantilever through dynamic mode coupling, achieving tuning of harmonic frequencies while reducing sample indentation. The results of the study indicate that nonlinear mode coupling is one of the reasons for the increase in the amplitude of higher harmonics.
PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED
(2021)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Sunghoon Kim, Joon-Hyuk Ko, Wonho Jhe
Summary: This study presents a theoretical platform based on multiharmonic signal analysis for accurate and robust reconstruction of conservative and dissipative forces in dynamic force microscopy. The method shows improved accuracy and robustness compared to conventional methods, providing higher reconstruction precision and stability.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hrachya Ishkhanyan, Natasha H. Rhys, David J. Barlow, M. Jayne Lawrence, Christian D. Lorenz
Summary: Surfactants are widely used in various applications and for pharmaceutical purposes. The study investigates the solubilisation capabilities of Triton X-100 micelles for two anti-inflammatory drugs, ibuprofen and indomethacin. The results show differences in drug loading and effects on micelle stability, with the indomethacin-loaded micelles eventually dividing into daughter micelles.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ayoub Glia, Muhammedin Deliorman, Mohammad A. Qasaimeh
Summary: This study utilizes two-photon polymerization to manufacture 3D polymeric atomic force microscopy (AFM) tips, known as 3DTIPs, with flexible design and functionality. By using common AFM modes in air and liquid environments, the 3DTIPs successfully achieve high-resolution and high-speed AFM imaging. The functionality of the 3DTIPs is extended by refining the tip end, allowing for higher-resolution AFM imaging.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sho Nagai, Shingo Urata, Kent Suga, Takeshi Fukuma, Yasuo Hayashi, Keisuke Miyazawa
Summary: Water molecules can influence the reactivity and molecular adsorption behavior of oxide surfaces. This study used 3D-AFM and molecular dynamics simulations to observe the hydroxyl (OH) groups and their hydration structures on sapphire and alpha-quartz surfaces at the atomic scale. The results showed that the density and hydrogen-bonding strength of surface OH groups affect their hydration structures. Additionally, the force curves obtained by 3D-AFM revealed that hydration forces intensify at sites where water molecules strongly interact with surface OH groups. This research provides important insights for understanding the interaction between Al2O3 and SiO2 with water molecules and highlights the potential of 3D-AFM in studying atomic-scale hydration structures on different surfaces.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuhui Wei, Kaizhe Wang, Qinglin Xia, Bin Li, Lin Liu
Summary: In this study, atomic force microscopy was used to achieve nanoscale resolution 3D imaging of microvilli in living cells, revealing the morphological classification and dynamic characteristics of microvilli clusters. The findings provide important insights into the morphology and function of cell membranes and associated structures.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
Zhengyi He, Guanglin Zhang, Shan Zhang, Xiaoqiang Feng, Zhiduo Liu, Gang Wang, Siwei Yang, Guqiao Ding
Summary: In this study, three-dimensional graphene was synthesized on silicon-on-insulator wafers using plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition, resulting in high-performance broadband photodetectors. The integration of different structures enhanced light absorption, leading to excellent performance in the near-infrared range.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kaijian Xing, Wei Li, Enrico Della Gaspera, Joel van Embden, Lei Zhang, Steve A. Yianni, Daniel L. Creedon, Tony Wang, Jeffrey C. McCallum, Linjun Wang, Jian Huang, Christopher Pakes, Dong-Chen Qi
Summary: The study demonstrates a simple solution-processed method for depositing a MoO3 layer on H-terminated diamond surface to achieve surface transfer doping, leading to a reduction in sheet resistivity and an increase in hole density. The hole accumulation layer induced by sp-MoO3 is thermally stable up to 450 degrees C and exhibits metallic conductivity with strong spin-orbit interaction in the induced 2D surface conducting layer.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shaoshan Wang, Pengcheng Ding, Zhuo Li, Cristina Mattioli, E. Wenlong, Ye Sun, Andre Gourdon, Lev N. Kantorovich, Flemming Besenbacher, Xueming Yang, Miao Yu
Summary: Transition-metal carbides have been widely studied as high-performance catalysts, but the catalytic properties of copper carbides have not been explored. By introducing subsurface carbon to Cu(111), a displacement reaction of a proton with a single Cu atom at atomic scale and room temperature is demonstrated. This novel Cu△+ surface, based on subsurface carbon doping, offers a new catalytic platform for on-surface synthesis.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Samuel P. Jarvis, Hongqian Sang, Filipe Junqueira, Oliver Gordon, Jo E. A. Hodgkinson, Alex Saywell, Philipp Rahe, Salvatore Mamone, Simon Taylor, Adam Sweetman, Jeremy Leaf, David A. Duncan, Tien-Lin Lee, Pardeep K. Thakur, Gabriella Hoffman, Richard J. Whitby, Malcolm H. Levitt, Georg Held, Lev Kantorovich, Philip Moriarty, Robert G. Jones
Summary: The study showed that water (H2O) and hydrogen fluoride (HF) molecules encapsulated inside a C60 cage experience significant internal rotational motion and substantial intra-cage electrostatic interaction. Despite their off-center positions, these molecules do not affect the endofullerene's frontier orbitals.
COMMUNICATIONS CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chong Chen, Pengcheng C. Ding, Zhuo Li, Guoqiang Q. Shi, Ye Sun, Lev N. Kantorovich, Flemming Besenbacher, Miao Yu
Summary: This study reports the super-robust complexes formed by xanthine and sodium and demonstrates their high thermal stability in a high-temperature environment. These findings support the theory of life originating from hydrothermal environments and reveal the robustness of the complexes and their ability to induce electron transfer in harsh conditions.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lukas Grossmann, David A. Duncan, Samuel P. Jarvis, Robert G. Jones, Soumen De, Johanna Rosen, Michael Schmittel, Wolfgang M. Heckl, Jonas Bjork, Markus Lackinger
Summary: NIXSW analysis allows precise measurement of adsorption heights, providing new perspectives on surface interactions and molecular conformations. The study of porous covalent triazine-phenylene networks on Ag(111) reveals the evolution of molecular conformations and adsorption heights during on-surface synthesis and post-synthetic decoupling.
NANOSCALE HORIZONS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Xintai Wang, Sara Sangtarash, Angelo Lamantia, Herve Dekkiche, Leonardo Forcieri, Oleg Kolosov, Samuel P. Jarvis, Martin R. Bryce, Colin J. Lambert, Hatef Sadeghi, Benjamin J. Robinson
Summary: In this study, an alternative strategy for enhancing the thermoelectric performance of molecular thin-films is demonstrated. By controlling the thickness of the films and using pi-pi stacking, the Seebeck coefficient is improved and thermal conductance is reduced.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
Steve A. Yianni, Martin Hofmann, Alex K. Schenk, Christoph Reuter, Ivo W. Rangelow, Christopher I. Pakes
Summary: This article demonstrates a method for direct-write modification of a diamond surface at the nanometer scale. By using an atomic force microscope tip as an emission source and the surface conductivity of hydrogen-terminated diamond, nano-structuring of diamond surfaces is achieved under ambient conditions. The experimental results show that features on the micrometer scale can be controllably created on the diamond surface.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Alex K. Schenk, Michael J. Sear, Nikolai Dontschuk, Anton Tadich, Alastair Stacey, Chris I. Pakes
Summary: This study investigated the fluorination of the silicon-terminated diamond surface using a molecular fluorine source. The results showed that the fluorine source reacted with the silicon termination, resulting in an inhomogeneous fluorinated surface. Even after the removal of the fluorine source, partial fluorination remained. The study demonstrated the potential of the silicon-terminated diamond surface for modifying the surface properties of diamond.
DIAMOND AND RELATED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhuo Li, Guoqiang Shi, Junfeng Zhou, Yanghan Chen, Pengcheng Ding, Wei Yi, Ye Sun, Xin Yang, Lev N. Kantorovich, Federico Rosei, Miao Yu
Summary: In this study, the researchers successfully achieved control over the yield and selectivity in on-surface synthesis by introducing carbon and UV irradiation in an olefin cyclization reaction, which serves as a model system. This approach may offer a promising route for overcoming high reaction barriers and regulating selectivity in on-surface synthesis.
CELL REPORTS PHYSICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
B. Oslinker, D. Hoxley, A. Tadich, A. Stacey, S. Yianni, R. Griffin, E. Gill, C. I. Pakes, A. K. Schenk
Summary: High-resolution core-level photoemission and Kelvin probe were used to investigate the surface transfer doping of oxidised silicon-terminated (111) diamond with the molecular acceptor MoO3. It was found that a downward shift in the Fermi level position, indicating p-type surface doping, was only observed for MoO3 coverages in the range of 0.2-0.6 ML and above. For lower MoO3 coverages, the appearance of distinct charge states of MoO3 could be attributed to electron transfer from surface charge traps with a estimated density in the range of 1-3 x 1013 cm-2. Atomic force microscopy imaging indicated significant disorder on the (111) diamond surface compared to similarly prepared (100) diamond surfaces.
DIAMOND AND RELATED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alexander Allen, Mohammad Abdur Rashid, Philipp Rahe, Samuel P. Jarvis, James N. O'Shea, Janette L. Dunn, Philip Moriarty
Summary: In this study, submolecular resolution scanning tunnelling microscopy and qPlus atomic force microscopy were used to investigate the assembly of bi-isonicotinic acid on Au(111) and Ag(100) surfaces. The results showed that the formation of extended molecular rows is primarily driven by hydrogen bonding, and the influence of the substrate is relatively small. However, the surface does induce prochiral behavior and leads to the formation of a racemic mixture of rows with different handedness. A tiling model was adapted to the bi-isonicotinic acid system, providing insights into the growth kinetics and agreement with experimental observations of molecular morphologies.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kaijian Xing, Daniel L. Creedon, Golrokh Akhgar, Steve A. Yianni, Jeffrey C. McCallum, Lothar Ley, Dong-Chen Qi, Christopher Pakes
Summary: The observation of a strong and tunable spin-orbit interaction (SOI) in surface-conducting diamond opens up a new avenue for building diamond-based spintronics. By adopting a significantly improved theoretical magnetotransport model, the reduced magnetoconductance can be accurately explained both within and outside the quantum diffusive regime. Furthermore, local hole mobilities as high as 1000-3000 cm2/V s have been observed, indicating the possibility of diamond-based electronics with ultrahigh hole mobilities at cryogenic temperatures.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Kaijian Xing, Patjaree Aukarasereenont, Sergey Rubanov, Ali Zavabeti, Daniel L. Creedon, Wei Li, Brett C. Johnson, Christopher Pakes, Jeffrey C. McCallum, Torben Daeneke, Dong-Chen Qi
Summary: Graphene is a promising material with unique electrical and optical properties, but its high production cost and complex fabrication process have limited its widespread application. Therefore, developing a simple, low-cost, and efficient method for graphene production is of great significance.
ACS APPLIED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Manjith Bose, Daniel L. Creedon, Anders Barlow, Michael Stuiber, Georgina M. Klemencic, Soumen Mandal, Oliver Williams, Grant van Riessen, Christopher Pakes
Summary: Nanoscale superconducting quantum interference devices (nano-SQUIDs) with Dayem bridge junctions and a physical loop size of 50 nm have been fabricated in boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond films. The nonhysteretic operation of the unshunted device can be maintained in high magnetic fields, and it exhibits low flux noise and high spin sensitivity. At elevated magnetic fields, the nano-SQUID output voltage shows flux modulation, but with an increased period due to additional phase bias induced by vortices penetrating the nano-SQUID electrodes.
ACS APPLIED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Leonardo Forcieri, Simon Taylor, Philip Moriarty, Samuel P. Jarvis
Summary: Surface adsorption of C-60 influences its chemical and electronic properties. Studies have shown that C-60 fullerenes adsorb on metal surfaces with well-defined adsorption heights, confirming a complex vacancy model for C-60 monolayers on metal surfaces. The mechanism of surface reconstruction due to C-60 adsorption remains under debate.
