Rational Design of 2D Supramolecular Networks Switchable by External Electric Fields

The reversible formation of hydrogen bonds is a ubiquitous mechanism for controlling molecular assembly in biological systems. However, achieving predictable reversibility in artificial two-dimensional (2D) materials remains a significant challenge. Here, we use an external electric field (EEF) at the solid/liquid interface to trigger the switching of H-bond-linked 2D networks using a scanning tunneling microscope. Assisted by density functional theory and molecular dynamics simulations, we systematically vary the molecule-to-molecule interactions, i.e., the hydrogen-bonding strength, as well as the molecule-to-substrate interactions to analyze the EEF switching effect. By tuning the building block's hydrogen-bonding ability (carboxylic acids vs aldehydes) and substrate nature and charge (graphite, graphene/Cu, graphene/SiO2), we induce or freeze the switching properties and control the final polymorphic output in the 2D network. Our results indicate that the switching ability is not inherent to any particular building block but instead relies on a synergistic combination of the relative adsorbate/adsorbate and absorbate/substrate energetic contributions under surface polarization. Furthermore, we describe the dynamics of the switching mechanism based on the rotation of carboxylic groups and proton exchange, which generate the polarizable species that are influenced by the EEF. This work provides insights into the design and control of reversible molecular assembly in 2D materials, with potential applications in a wide range of fields, including sensors and electronics.

Two-dimensional self-assembly and co-assembly of two tetracarboxylic acid derivatives investigated by STM

In this work, the two-dimensional self-assembly and co-assembly behaviors of two tetracarboxylic acid derivatives (H4BDETP and H4BTB) were investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). H4BDETP molecules self-assembled into linear nanostructures, and H4BTB molecules formed lamellar and tetragonal nanostructures. The formation of a H4BDETP/H4BTB co-assembly nanostructure was closely related to the deposition sequence of H4BDETP and H4BTB on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). The introduction of H4BTB into the self-assembly system of H4BDETP resulted in the emergence of the H4BDETP/H4BTB nanostructure, while the addition of H4BDETP had no effect on the self-assembly system of H4BTB and a H4BDETP/H4BTB co-assembly nanostructure was not obtained.

Enhancement of electrocatalytic oxygen evolution by chiral molecular functionalization of hybrid 2D electrodes

A sustainable future requires highly efficient energy conversion and storage processes, where electrocatalysis plays a crucial role. The activity of an electrocatalyst is governed by the binding energy towards the reaction intermediates, while the scaling relationships prevent the improvement of a catalytic system over its volcano-plot limits. To overcome these limitations, unconventional methods that are not fully determined by the surface binding energy can be helpful. Here, we use organic chiral molecules, i.e., hetero-helicenes such as thiadiazole-[7]helicene and bis(thiadiazole)-[8]helicene, to boost the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) by up to ca. 130 % (at the potential of 1.65 V vs. RHE) at state-of-the-art 2D Ni- and NiFe-based catalysts via a spin-polarization mechanism. Our results show that chiral molecule-functionalization is able to increase the OER activity of catalysts beyond the volcano limits. A guideline for optimizing the catalytic activity via chiral molecular functionalization of hybrid 2D electrodes is given.

The self-assembly and pyridine regulation of a hydrogen-bonded dimeric building block formed by a low-symmetric aromatic carboxylic acid

The supramolecular self-assembly behavior of a low-symmetric aromatic carboxylic acid molecule (H₅BHB) and its co-assembly behavior with a series of pyridine molecules (BPD, BPDYB and TPDYB) were studied at the heptanoic acid/HOPG liquid-solid interface. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) observations revealed that H₅BHB molecules tend to form dimeric building blocks which then assemble into a close-packed structure. BPD, BPDYB and TPDYB pyridine molecules were all able to form a stable two-component co-assembled structure with the H₅BHB molecule, and in these co-assembled structures, the H₅BHB molecule still takes the form of a dimer. It was found that the pyridine molecules were able to regulate the self-assembly structure of the H₅BHB molecule, and the molecular arrangement of the co-assembly structures varies with the shape of the pyridine molecules. Based on the analysis of the STM results and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the formation mechanism of the assembled structures was revealed.

Bidirectional Phase Transformation of Supramolecular Networks Using Two Molecular Signals

Reversible control of molecular self-assembly is omnipresent in adaptive biological systems, yet its realization in artificial systems remains a major challenge. Using scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculations, we show that a 2D supramolecular network formed by terthienobenzenetricarboxylic acid (TTBTA) can undergo a reversible structural transition between a porous and dense phase in response to different molecular signals (trimethyltripyrazolotriazine (TMTPT) and C₆₀). TMTPT molecules can induce a phase transition from the TTBTA honeycomb to the dense phase, whereas a reverse transition can be triggered by introducing C₆₀ molecules. This response stems from the selective association between signal molecules and TTBTA polymorphs. The successful realization of reversible molecular transformation represents important progress in controlling supramolecular surface nanostructures and could be potentially applicable in various areas of nanotechnology, including phase control, molecular sensing, and "smart" switchable surfaces.

2D cocrystal engineering: switching the robust carboxylic acid–pyridine supramolecular heterosynthon via an oriented external electric field

The response of 2D cocrystals with the carboxylic acid–pyridine supramolecular heterosynthon to the oriented external electric field is identified on solid surfaces.

Two-dimensional co-crystallization of two carboxylic acid derivatives having dissimilar symmetries at the liquid/solid interface

By the co-assembly of two carboxylic acids with distinct symmetries and different numbers of carboxyl groups, we obtained two novel cocrystal structures at the n-octanoic acid/HOPG interface, one of which was sustained by unoptimized R22(8) hydrogen bonding. Benefiting from the bias-sensitivity of the BTB (1,3,5-tris(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene) molecule, a structure transition between the cocrystal network and a denser BTB lamella is achieved.

Fluorinated carboxylic acids as powerful building blocks for the formation of bimolecular monolayers

We compare the ability of a prototypical dicarboxylic acid and its fluorinated analogue to act as molecular building blocks for the formation of self-assembled monolayers. Whilst fluorination is found to prevent homomolecular self-assembly, it greatly increases the ability of the carboxylic acid to act as a hydrogen bond donor for the formation of bimolecular networks.

Tri-Stable Structural Switching in 2D Molecular Assembly at the Liquid/Solid Interface Triggered by External Electric Field

A tri-stable structural switching between different polymorphisms is presented in the 2D molecular assembly of a 5-(benzyloxy)isophthalic acid derivative (BIC-C12) at the liquid/solid interface. The assembled structure of BIC-C12 is sensitive to the applied voltage between the STM tip and the sample surface. A compact lamellar structure is exclusively observed at positive sample bias, while a porous honeycomb structure or a quadrangular structure is preferred at negative sample bias. Selective switching between the lamellar structure and the honeycomb structure or the quadrangular structure is realized by controlling the polarity and magnitude of the sample bias. The transition between the honeycomb structure and the quadrangular structure is, however, absent in the assembly. This tri-stable structural switching is closely related to the molecular concentration in the liquid phase. This result provides insights into the effect of external electric field on molecular assembly and benefits the design and construction of switchable molecular architectures on surfaces.

Synergic Effect: Temperature-Assisted Electric-Field-Induced Supramolecular Phase Transitions at the Liquid/Solid Interface

Using trimesic acid (TMA) as a model system by means of scanning tunneling microscope (STM) equipped with a temperature controller, here, we report a temperature-assisted method to cooperatively control electric-field-induced supramolecular phase transitions at the liquid/solid interface. Octanoic acid is used as a solvent due to its good solubility for TMA and its less complicated pattern formed under negative STM bias (e.g., only chicken-wire polymorphs existing). At positive substrate bias, STM revealed that TMA assembly based on temperature modulations underwent phase transitions from a porous (22 °C) to a flower (45 °C) and further to a zigzag (68 °C) structure. The transitions are ascribed to the partial deprotonation of the carboxyl groups of TMA. Both the temperature and electrical polarity of the substrate are crucial, i.e., the transitions only take place at positive substrate bias and elevated temperatures. Molecular mechanics simulations were carried out to calculate the temperature and electric field dependence of the adsorption enthalpy and free energy of the chicken-wire assembly of TMA on the two layers of graphene surface. The calculated decrease in adsorption enthalpy with the increase of temperature and electric field values that causes the TMA chicken-wire assembly to be less stable is proposed to promote the occurrence of the phase transition observed by STM. This study paves the way toward program-controlled supramolecular phase switching via the synergic effect of electrical and thermal stimuli.

Formation of multicomponent 2D assemblies of C 2v-symmetric terphenyl tetracarboxylic acid at the solid/liquid interface: recognition, selection, and transformation

We report on the two-dimensional self-assembly of C_2v-symmetric [1,1′:3′,1′′-terphenyl]-3,3′′,5,5′′-tetracarboxylic acid (TPTA) at the solid/liquid interface by using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Two kinds of different self-assembly structure, i.e. a close-packed and porous rosette structure, are formed by TPTA molecules through intermolecular hydrogen bonds. When adding coronene (COR) as a guest into the TPTA assembly, structural transformation from a densely packed row structure to a rosette network structure is observed. It was found that two kinds of cavities with different sizes in the rosette network structure can be used to realize the selective co-adsorption of guest molecules with appropriate shape and size. Three-component 2D host–guest structures were successfully constructed by using 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakis(4-bromophenyl)benzene (HBPBE) and copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) as guest molecules.

The formation process of multicomponent 2D assemblies of C_2v-symmetric terphenyl tetracarboxylic acid on a surface.