Near Field Chemistry
Written by Administrator
We have developed methods by which chemically-specific molecular coupling reactions between surface-confined and solution phase molecules can be initiated and controlled with nanometre resolution using scanning catalytically-active AFM probes.
The patterned surface created by this chemical (catalytic) lithography is analysed by Scanning Probe Microscopy (both Atomic Force and Scanning Tunnelling), spectroscopic and fluorescence imaging methods. The ability to selectively engineer surface chemistry with this degree of resolution opens up the possibility that such produced nanostructures be used as templates for the construction of more complex (three-dimensional) molecular assemblies, of potential considerable application in polymer science, biotechnology, sensing and optoelectronics. To date, it has been possible to confine molecular coupling to sub-zeptomolar (a few tens of molecules - letter linewidths below) limits.
