Resolving atomic-scale defects in conjugated polymers on-surfaces

0568414 - FZÚ 2023 RIV DE eng J - Journal Article
Mallada Faes, Benjamin Jose - Chen, Qifan - Chutora, T. - Sánchez-Grande, A. - Cirera, B. - Santos, J. - Martín, N. - Écija, D. - Jelínek, Pavel - De La Torre Cerdeño, Bruno
Resolving atomic-scale defects in conjugated polymers on-surfaces.
Chemistry - A European Journal. Roč. 28, č. 48 (2022), č. článku e202200944. ISSN 0947-6539. E-ISSN 1521-3765
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GX20-13692X
Institutional support: RVO:68378271
Keywords : on-surface synthesis * scanning tunneling microscopy
OECD category: Condensed matter physics (including formerly solid state physics, supercond.)
Impact factor: 4.3, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Limited access
https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202200944

Atomic scale defects significantly affect the mechanical, electronic, and optical properties of π-conjugated polymers. Here, isolated atomic-scale defects are deliberately introduced into a prototypical anthracene-ethynylene π-conjugated polymer, and its local density of states is carefully examined on the atomic scale to show how individual defects modify the inherent electronic and magnetic properties of this one-dimensional systems. Scanning tunneling and atomic force microscopy experiments, supplemented with density functional theory calculations, reveal the existence of a sharp electronic resonance at the Fermi energy around certain defects, which is associated with the formation of a local magnetic moment accompanied by substantial mitigation of the mobility of charge carriers. While defects in traditionally synthesized polymers lead to arbitrary conformations, the presented results clearly reflect the preferential formation of low dimensional defects at specific polymer sites, which may introduce the possibility of engineering macroscopic defects in surface-synthesized conjugated polymers.

Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0340462