Adsorption and self-assembling of a norbornadiene derivative on Au(1 1 1)
Journal article, 2025
The norbornadiene-quadricyclane photoswitch is a promising example of molecular solar thermal systems capable of energy conversion, storage and release. We present a scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy study of a symmetric NBD-COOMe derivative adsorbed on the Au(1 1 1) surface, supported by density functional theory simulations. We observe the formation of ordered self-assembled islands of NBD-COOMe on the gold surface, driven by intermolecular van der Waals interaction, which become disordered and gradually desorb upon increasing the surface temperature. After annealing at 200 °C, a few adsorbed molecules show a different appearance and electronic structure suggesting the formation of single metalorganic complexes of NBD-COOMe with gold adatoms.
Molecular solar thermal systems
STM
Norbornadiene
Molecular switches
Author
Suchetana Sarkar
Technische Universität Dresden
Natasha Khera
Technische Universität Dresden
Pedro Ferreira
Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
Kwan Ho Au-Yeung
Technische Universität Dresden
Pranjit Das
Technische Universität Dresden
Roberto Robles
Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
N. Lorente
Donostia International Physics Center
Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
Kasper Moth-Poulsen
Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry
Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies
Francesca Moresco
Technische Universität Dresden
Applied Surface Science
0169-4332 (ISSN)
Vol. 709 163744Photo Thermal Management Materials (PHOTERM)
European Commission (EC) (EC/H2020/101002131), 2021-10-01 -- 2026-09-30.
Subject Categories (SSIF 2025)
Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics
Other Physics Topics
Physical Chemistry
DOI
10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.163744