Self-Assembled Monolayers of Single-Molecule Magnets [Tb{Pc′(SR)8}2] on Gold

Anomalously Large Spectral Shifts near the Quantum Tunnelling Limit in Plasmonic Rulers with Subatomic Resolution

The resonance wavelength of a coupled plasmonic system is extremely sensitive to the distance between its metallic surfaces, resulting in "plasmon rulers". We explore this behavior in the subnanometer regime using self-assembled monolayers of bis-phthalocyanine molecules in a nanoparticle-on-mirror (NPoM) construct. These allow unprecedented subangstrom control over spacer thickness via choice of metal center, in a gap-size regime at the quantum-mechanical limit of plasmonic enhancement. A dramatic shift in the coupled plasmon resonance is observed as the gap size is varied from 0.39 to 0.41 nm. Existing theoretical models are unable to account for the observed spectral tuning, which requires inclusion of the quantum-classical interface, emphasizing the need for new treatments of light at the subnanoscale.

Magnetic hysteresis in self-assembled monolayers of Dy-fullerene single molecule magnets on gold

Fullerene single molecule magnets (SMMs) DySc2N@C80 and Dy2ScN@C80 are functionalized via a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with surface-anchoring thioether groups. The SMM properties of Dy-fullerenes are substantially affected by the cycloaddition. Submonolayers of the physisorbed derivatives exhibit magnetic hysteresis on an Au(111) surface at 2 K as revealed by X-ray magnetic circular dichroism.

Self-Assembly of TbPc2 Single-Molecule Magnets on Surface through Multiple Hydrogen Bonding

The complexation between 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone (UPy) and 2,7-diamido-1,8-naphthyridine (NaPy) is used to promote the mild chemisorption of a UPy-functionalized terbium(III) double decker system on a silicon surface. The adopted strategy allows the single-molecule magnet behavior of the system to be maintained unaltered on the surface.

Novel bis(phthalocyaninato) rare earth complexes with the bulky and strong electron-donating dibutylamino groups: synthesis, spectroscopy, and SMM properties

Dibutylamino groups were incorporated onto the bis(phthalocyaninato) terbium, leading to excellent SIM performance.

Magnetic interaction between a radical spin and a single-molecule magnet in a molecular spin-valve

Molecular spintronics using single molecule magnets (SMMs) is a fast growing field of nanoscience that proposes to manipulate the magnetic and quantum information stored in these molecules. Herein we report evidence of a strong magnetic coupling between a metallic ion and a radical spin in one of the most extensively studied SMMs: the bis(phtalocyaninato)terbium(III) complex (TbPc2). For that we use an original multiterminal device comprising a carbon nanotube laterally coupled to the SMMs. The current through the device, sensitive to magnetic interactions, is used to probe the magnetization of a single Tb ion. Combining this electronic read-out with the transverse field technique has allowed us to measure the interaction between the terbium ion, its nuclear spin, and a single electron located on the phtalocyanine ligands. We show that the coupling between the Tb and this radical is strong enough to give extra resonances in the hysteresis loop that are not observed in the anionic form of the complex. The experimental results are then modeled by diagonalization of a three-spins Hamiltonian. This strong coupling offers perspectives for implementing nuclear and electron spin resonance techniques to perform basic quantum operations in TbPc2.

Magnetic behaviour of TbPc2 single-molecule magnets chemically grafted on silicon surface

Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) are among the most promising molecular systems for the development of novel molecular electronics based on the spin transport. Going beyond the investigations focused on physisorbed SMMs, in this work the robust grafting of Terbium(III) bis(phthalocyaninato) complexes to silicon surface from a diluted solution is achieved by rational chemical design yielding the formation of a partially oriented monolayer on the conducting substrate. Here, by exploiting the surface sensitivity of X-ray circular magnetic dichroism we evidence an enhancement of the magnetic bistability of this single-molecule magnet, in contrast to the dramatic reduction of the magnetic hysteresis that characterises monolayer deposits evaporated on noble and ferromagnetic metals. Photoelectron spectroscopy investigations and density functional theory analysis suggest a non-innocent role played by the silicon substrate, evidencing the potentiality of this approach for robust integration of bistable magnetic molecules in electronic devices.

Molecular suction pads: self-assembled monolayers of subphthalocyaninatoboron complexes on gold

Subphthalocyaninatoboron complexes with six long-chain alkylthio substituents in their periphery are applicable for the formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold. Such films are prepared from solution with the axially chlorido-substituted derivatives and characterised by near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The results are in accord with the formation of SAMs assembled by the chemisorption of both covalently bound thiolate-type as well as coordinatively bound thioether units. The adsorbate molecules adopt an essentially flat adsorption geometry on the substrate, resembling a suction pad on a surface.