Insight into STM image contrast of n-tetradecane and n-hexadecane molecules on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite

Two-dimensional ordered patterns of n-tetradecane (n-C₁₄H₃₀) and n-hexadecane (n-C₁₆H₃₄) molecules at liquid/graphite interface have been directly imaged using scanning tunneling microscope (STM) under ambient conditions. STM images reveal that the two different kinds of molecules self-organize into ordered lamellar structures in which alkane chains of the molecules extend along one of three equivalent lattice axes of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) basal plane. For n-C₁₄H₃₀ molecules, the molecular axes are observed to tilt by 60° with respect to inter-lamellar trough lines and the carbon backbones of the alkane chains are perpendicular to the HOPG basal plane in an all-trans conformation. However, for n-C₁₆H₃₄ molecules, the molecular axes are perpendicular to lamellar borders (90°) and the planes of the all-trans carbon skeletons are parallel to the graphite basal plane. The results clearly indicate that outmost hydrogen atoms of the alkane chains dominate atom-scaled features of the STM images. That is, in the case of long-chain alkane molecules, topographic effects dominantly determine STM image contrast of the methylene regions of the alkane chains that are adsorbed on HOPG.     

Scanning tunneling microscopy of N2H4 on silicon surfaces

The chemistry of N₂H₄ on Si(100)2 × 1 and Si(111)7 × 7 has been studied using scanning tunneling microscopy. At low coverages on Si(100)2 × 1 at room temperature the adsorption sites are distributed randomly on the surface and are imaged as dark spots in the dimer row by the STM. Upon annealing the substrate at 600 K, both isolated reaction products, as well as clusters of reaction products are formed on the surface. The STM images show that the majority of the isolated reaction products are adsorbed symmetrically across the dimers. Based on previous HREELS data, these are most likely NH_x groups. However, the clusters are not well resolved. Because of this we speculate that they are not simply symmetrically adsorbed NH_x groups, but likely have a more complicated internal structure. At higher coverages, the STM images show that the predominant pathway for adsorption is with the N---N bond parallel to the surface, in agreement with HREELS studies of this system. On Si(111)7 × 7, the molecule behaves in a manner which is similar to NH₃. That is, at low coverages the molecule adsorbs preferentially at center adatoms due to the greater reactivity of these sites, while at higher coverages it also reacts with the corner adatoms.     

Surface properties of Hafnium diboride(0 0 0 1) as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy

The surface structure and properties of the HfB₂(0 0 0 1) (Hafnium diboride, HfB₂) surface have been investigated with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction (LEED), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Annealing temperatures above 1900°C produce a sharp (1×1) LEED pattern, which corresponds to STM images showing flat (0 0 0 1) terraces with a very low contamination level separated by steps 3.4 Å in height, corresponding to the separation of adjacent Hf planes in the HfB₂ bulk structure. For lower annealing temperatures, extra p(2×2) spots were observed with LEED, which correspond to intermediate terraces of a p(2×1) missing row structure as observed with STM.     

Three-Ni-atom cluster formed by sulfur adsorption on Ni(1 1 1)

Sulfur adsorption on Ni(1 1 1) at room temperature has been studied by scanning tunneling microscopy. Irregularly-shaped islands, which are aggregates of small particles, appear with troughs on (1 1 1) terraces. Estimating the number of small particles in the irregular islands and that of Ni atoms ejected through the formation of troughs, we find that each small particle contains three Ni atoms. A three-Ni-atom cluster is proposed, where three S atoms are adsorbed on 4-fold hollow sites formed on the sides of the cluster. The Ni₃S₃ cluster can assume two orientations on the (1 1 1) surface. We show that the apparently-irregular distribution of small particles is well understood by assuming the alternate orientation of neighboring Ni₃S₃ clusters and the slight energy difference between the two orientations of a single Ni₃S₃ cluster. Real-time observation of a Ni(1 1 1) surface under H₂S ambience reveals that small islands composed of three or four Ni₃S₃ clusters change their positions rapidly, preventing the simple growth of islands at the initially-nucleated positions.     

STM/STS observation of ferrocene derivative adduct to C60 on HOPG

The C₆₀ONCFn cycloadduct (Fn=ferrocene) was prepared in the reaction between C₆₀ and ferrocene oxime, the ferrocene derivative was bound to C₆₀ at the 6–6 bond by a heterocyclic oxygen–nitrogen–carbon ring; the compound was stable in air. The compound dissolved in dichloroethane was deposited on HOPG and observed by UHV STM/STS methods. The molecules of C₆₀ONCFn formed several-microns-long straight chains with clearly visible adducted groups pointing to one side of the chain. The STM/STS observations are discussed within the terms of semiempirical quantum chemical molecular modeling.     

Polyhedral silver clusters as single molecule ammonia sensor based on charge transfer-induced plasmon enhancement

The unique plasmon resonance characteristics of nanostructures based on metal clusters have always been the focus of various plasmon devices and different applications. In this work, the plasmon resonance phenomena of polyhedral silver clusters under the adsorption of NH₃, N₂, H₂, and CH₄ molecules are studied by using time-dependent density functional theory. Under the adsorption of NH₃, the tunneling current of silver clusters changes significantly due to the charge transfer from NH₃ to silver clusters. However, the effects of N₂, H₂, and CH₄ adsorption on the tunneling current of silver clusters are negligible. Our results indicate that these silver clusters exhibit excellent selectivities and sensitivities for NH₃ detection. These findings confirm that the silver cluster is a promising NH₃ sensor and provide a new method for designing high-performance sensors in the future.     

Scanning tunneling and atomic force microscopy study of the misfit layer compounds (LaS)1.14(NbS2)n (n=1, 2) and [(Pb,Sb)S)]1.14NbS2

The misfit layer compounds (LaS)_1.14(NbS₂)_n (n=1, 2) and [(Pb,Sb)S]_1.14NbS₂ were examined by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In these compounds the NaCl-type double MS (M=La, Pb, Sb) layers (Q layers) alternate with the NbS₂ layers (H layers) made up of NbS₆ trigonal prisms. It was possible to record AFM and STM images for only the H layers for (LaS)_1.14(NbS₂)_n, but for both the H- and Q-layers for [(Pb,Sb)S]_1.14NbS₂. Partial and total electron density plots of the H and Q layers were calculated to interpret the observed STM and AFM images. The bright spots in the STM and AFM images of the H layer correspond to S atoms, and those of the Q layer to Pb and Sb atoms. The STM images for the Q layers of [(Pb,Sb)S]_1.14NbS₂ suggest that a short-range ordering of the Pb and Sb atoms occurs in the (Pb,Sb)S sheets of the Q layer.     

Observation and investigation of graphite superlattice boundaries by scanning tunneling microscopy

In this article, we report on scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) observations of several different kinds of superlattice boundaries on highly-oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) including an array of bead-like structures, a monolayer deep trench, a zig-zag shaped termination, and a plain boundary without features. Results of a simulation model show that a top rotated graphite layer with a straight boundary does not necessarily lead to the zig-zag shaped boundary of the resulting superlattice as has been previously claimed. The formation of the bead-like, trench, and zig-zag shaped boundaries is explained from the energetic point of view. Our study also shows evidence for the superlattice-mediated observation of a low-angle grain boundary with a varying tilt angle. A relationship between the periodicity of the boundary dislocations and the periodicity of the superlattice across the boundary is derived. The result of this work is important for an understanding of superlattices on graphite whose origin is not yet completely understood.     

Scanning probe microscopy characterization of gold-chemisorbed poplar plastocyanin mutants

Two poplar plastocyanin mutants adsorbed onto gold electrodes have been characterized at single molecule level by scanning probe microscopy. Immobilization of the two redox metalloprotein mutants on Au(1 1 1) surface was achieved by either a disulphide bridge (PCSS) or a single thiol (PCSH), both the anchoring groups having been introduced by site-directed mutagenesis. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis gives evidence of a stable and robust binding of both mutants to gold. The lateral dimensions, as estimated by STM, and the height above the gold substrate, as evaluated by AFM, of the two mutants well agree with crystallographic sizes. A narrower height distribution is observed for PCSS compared to PCSH, corresponding to a more homogeneous orientation of the former mutant adsorbed onto gold. Major differences between the mutants are observed by electrochemical STM. In particular, the image contrast of adsorbed PCSS is affected by tuning the external electrochemical potential to the redox levels of the mutant, consistent with some involvement of copper active site in the tunneling process. On the contrary, no contrast variation is observed in electrochemical STM of adsorbed PCSH. Moreover, scanning tunneling spectroscopy experiments reveal asymmetric I–V characteristics for single PCSS proteins, reminiscent of a rectifying-like behaviour, whereas an almost symmetric I–V relation is observed for PCSH.     

扫描隧道显微镜纳米云纹法的实验研究

提出了应用扫描隧道显微镜(STM)纳米云纹法测量面内位移的原理。测量中,把扫描隧道显微镜的探针扫描线作为参考栅,把物质原子晶格栅结构作为试件栅,对这两组栅线干涉形成的云纹进行了纳米级变形测量。对扫描隧道显微镜纳米云纹的形成原理及测量方法进行了详尽的讨论,并运用该方法对高定向裂解石墨(HOPG)的纳米级变形虚应变进行了测量研究,得到了随扫描范围变化的虚应变场,并与理论值进行了比较。     

Observation of pseudogap in SnSe2 atomic layers grown on graphite

Superconducting metal dichalcogenides (MDCs) present several similarities to the other layered superconductors like cuprates. The superconductivity in atomically thin MDCs has been demonstrated by recent experiments, however, the investigation of the superconductivity intertwined with other orders are scarce. Investigating the pseudogap in atomic layers of MDCs may help to understand the superconducting mechanism for these true two-dimensional (2D) superconducting systems. Herein we report a pseudogap opening in the tunneling spectra of thin layers of SnSe₂ epitaxially grown on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) with scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS). A significant V-shaped pseudogap was observed to open near the Fermi level (E_F) in the STS. And at elevated temperatures, the gap gradually evolves to a shallow dip. Our experimental observations provide direct evidence of a pseudogap state in the electron-doped SnSe₂ atomic layers on the HOPG surface, which may stimulate further exploration of the mechanism of superconductivity at 2D limit in MDCs.     

Study of scanning tunneling microscopy images and probable relaxations of the SrTiO3(100) surface by electronic structure calculations

Partial electron density plots were calculated for a model SrTiO₃(100) surface with √5 × √5 ordered oxygen vacancy to examine why the bright spots of the scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images of SrTiO₃(100) observed in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) correspond to the oxygen vacancy sites. Possible dependence of the image on the polarity and magnitude of the bias voltage was also discussed on the basis of partial electron density plot calculations. Our study strongly suggests that the UHV STM imaging involves the lowest-lying d-block level of every two Ti³⁺ centers adjacent to an oxygen vacancy, the tip-sample distance involved in the UHV STM experiments is substantially larger than that involved in typical ambient-condition STM imaging, and the Ti⁴⁺ and Ti³⁺ sites of SrTiO₃(100) are reconstructed.     

FOURIER ANALYSIS OF TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL OSCILLATIONS OF TUNNELING CURRENT IN SCANNING TUNNELING MICROSCOPY

Partially oxidized Si(111) surfaces and surfaces of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) were studied by two different ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling microscope (UHV-STM) systems and by an STM system working under ambient conditions, respectively. The STM current images of partially oxidized Si(111) surfaces and HOPG surfaces were analyzed by one/two-dimensional fast Fourier transformation (1D-FFT/2D-FFT). The phenomenon of temporal oscillations of tunneling current on the partially oxidized Si(111) surfaces was detected with both UHV-STM systems. Temporal as well as spatial oscillations of tunneling current appeared in highly resolved STM current images of the Si(111) surfaces simultaneously, but both kinds of oscillations could be discriminated according to their different influence on the 2D-FFT spectra of the current images, while varying the scanning range and rate. On clean HOPG surfaces only spatial oscillations of tunneling current induced by the surface structure were observed.     

Stochastic switching of subphthalocyanine arrays triggered by scanning tunneling microscopy

Single-molecular switching phenomena in monolayer arrays of subphthalocyanine adsorbed on Cu(1 0 0) surface were investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) under ultrahigh vacuum. The molecules evaporated on the surface arranged in a square lattice taking the Cu(1 0 0)SubPc(5 × 5) epitaxy. During continuous STM imaging at fixed tunneling conditions the topography of the individual molecules spontaneously changed between the high and low states. This topographic change was attributed to orientational switching between the upward and downward adsorption of the axial Cl atom of the molecule on the Cu surface. Molecular energy calculations and statistical thermodynamic evaluation concluded that the tip-triggered disturbance in the close-packed molecular array induced the molecular rearrangement accompanied with the stochastic orientational switching.     

Defects and Pd growth on the reduced SnO2(1 0 0) surface

Scanning tunneling microscopy experiments on a clean, reduced SnO₂(1 0 0)-(1 × 1) surface reveal surface defects with zero-, one-, and two-dimensions. Point defects consist of missing SnO/SnO₂ units. Line defects are probably crystallographic shear planes that extend to the surface and manifest themselves as rows of atoms, shifted half a unit cell along the [0 1 0] direction. Their ends act as preferential nucleation sites for the formation of Pd clusters upon vapor deposition. Areas of a more reduced surface phase, still with a (1 × 1) structure and a half-unit cell deep, form at [0 0 1]-oriented step edges.     

Point defects along metallic atomic wires on vicinal Si surfaces: Si(5 5 7)–Au and Si(5 5 3)–Au

Point defects on the metallic atomic wires induced by Au adsorbates on vicinal Si surfaces were investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM and STS). High-resolution STM images revealed that there exist several different types of defects on the Si(5 5 7)–Au surface, which are categorized by their apparent bias-dependent images and compared to the previous report on Si(5 5 3)–Au [Phys. Rev. B (2007) 205325]. The chemical characteristics of these defects were investigated by monitoring them upon the variation of the Au coverage and the adsorption of water molecules. The chemical origins and the tentative atomic structures of the defects are suggested as Si adatoms (and dimers) in different registries, the Au deficiency on terraces, and water molecules adsorbed dissociatively on step edges, respectively. STS measurements disclosed the electronic property of the majority kinds of defects on both Si(5 5 7)–Au and Si(5 5 3)–Au surfaces. In particular, the dominating water-induced defects on both surfaces induce a substantial band gap of about 0.5 eV in clear contrast to Si adatom-type defects. The conduction channels along the metallic step-edge chains thus must be very susceptible to the contamination through the electronic termination by the water adsorption.     

Enhanced transient reactivity of an O-sputtered Au(1 1 1) surface

The interaction of SO₂ with oxygen-sputtered Au(1 1 1) (θ_oxygen  0.35 ML) was studied by monitoring the oxygen and sulfur coverages as a function of SO₂ exposure. The morphology of the sputtered Au is relatively smooth on a long length scale, but rough on a finer scale with islands averaging 15 nm. The rough surface is not stable to scanning with the STM. Two reaction regimes were observed: oxygen depletion followed by sulfur deposition. An enhanced, transient sulfur deposition rate is observed at the oxygen depletion point. This effect is specifically pronounced if the Au surface is continuously exposed to SO₂. The enhanced reactivity towards S deposition seems to be linked to the presence of highly reactive, under-coordinated Au atoms. Adsorbed oxygen appears to stabilize, but also to block these sites. In absence of the stabilization effect of adsorbed oxygen, i.e. at the oxygen depletion point, the enhanced reactivity decays on a timescale of a few minutes. These observations shed a new light on the catalytic reactivity of highly dispersed gold nanoparticles.     

Two-dimensional self-assembly of esters with different configurations at the liquid-solid interface

Self-assembled monolayers of hexadecyl palmitate (HP) and 3,3′-thiodipropionic acid di-n-octadecyl ester (TADE) physisorbed on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) are investigated using scanning tunneling microscope (STM) and computer simulation. Both molecules form alkane-like linear shapes to maximize the interactions with substrate when they adsorb on HOPG surface. The HP molecules self-assemble into lamellae with the chain-trough angle of 48°, which is the result of a shifting 3/2 units from the adjacent molecule in a lamella. Based on the simulation insights combined with STM images, we confirm that a perpendicular orientation appears in which the HP molecular backbone is rotated 90° with respect to the substrate such that the carbonyl points away from the HOPG surface. TADE molecules form three kinds of configurations with chain-trough angles of 90°, 72° and 60° by shifting 0, 1/2 and 1 units from their adjacent molecules, respectively. The bright stripes in STM images reveal the electron density distribution of the part between two ester groups. The energy differences of three TADE adsorption configurations by molecular mechanics (MM) simulation are used to explain the structural coexistence phenomenon. It is also shown that lattice match between alkyl chain of molecules and HOPG substrate could change molecular conformation upon self-assembly.     

Hydrogen adsorption on Gd(0001)

The electronic structure of hydrogen adsorbate-induced states on Gd(0001) was investigated by means of photoelectron spectroscopy with linearly polarized radiation. The E vector of the incoming photon beam is rotatable. Clean and well-ordered rare-earth (0001) surfaces exhibit a highly localized surface state near the Fermi edge. After the adsorption of hydrogen, the surface state disappears and an additional sharp feature at about 4 eV binding energy is observed. For this latter state, the ratio of the radial matrix elements as well as the relative phase shifts were determined to be R=R_p/R_f=2.4±0.3 and δ_f−δ_p=310±10°, respectively. The removal of the Gd surface state by hydrogen adsorption was investigated by means of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS). The removal of the surface state exhibits domain-like behavior, with surface steps acting as domain boundaries. The tunneling spectra reveal that hydrogen adsorption causes a dramatic reduction in the differential conductivity near the Fermi level.     

Pinning of size-selected Co clusters on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite

Deposition and implantation of size-selected Co⁺ _50±5 cluster ions on/in highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) have been performed. Cobalt clusters were produced by laser ablation using the second harmonic (532 nm) of a Nd:YAG laser. They were deposited/implanted with energies of 250–4850 eV/cluster and examined using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). For the highest energies the clusters created craters and wells with residual clusters at the bottom of the wells. Decrease of the impact energy led to formation of bumps whichconsist of damaged graphite areas mixed with fragmented cobalt clusters. Further decrease of the impact energy to 250–450 eV/cluster probably corresponds to the so-called pinning regime, when the impacting cluster creates defects in the surface layer and becomes bound to them. The transition from implantation to pinning with a decrease of impact energy was confirmed by etching experiments showing the depth of the damage introduced by the cluster collisions with HOPG.