In this project funded by the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Adam Matzger of The University of Michigan will study the structural and energetic factors driving two dimensional crystal formation on surfaces. The approach is to prepare a series of molecules varying systematically in structure and/or functionalized through chemical synthesis and then to study their adsorption and two dimensional crystallization on surfaces. Structural information will be gained from STM, X-ray diffraction, and sum-frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy, while thermodynamic information will be gained from flow microcalorimetry. The broader impacts involve training undergraduate and graduate students, dissemination of results through publications and presentations, broadening participation through the PI's involvement as the director of the University of Michigan Sloan Foundation Minority Ph.D. Program, and continuation of work on the Two-Dimensional Structural Database.
This work will enhance our fundamental understanding on how molecules assemble on surfaces and in crystals. Such work could impact a variety of areas in which surfaces are important, including environmental remediation, surface lubrication, and catalysis. The research will also provide useful insights into crystal growth, which would impact industries such as pharmaceuticals, pigments, and energetic materials.
In this project funded by the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Adam J. Matzger and members of his research group at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor elucidated fundamental structural and energetic factors driving two dimensional crystal formation on surfaces. The approach involved preparing a series of molecules varying systematically in structure and/or chemical functional groups through chemical synthesis and then examining their adsorption and two dimensional crystallization on surfaces to produce monolayers. Structural information was obtained primarily by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) such that the molecular level details of assembly could be understood. In particularly novel aspect of the project, the thermodynamics of assembly were also studied by flow microcalorimetry. This allowed drawing a connection between two disparate areas in molecular assembly so that structure and energy could be tied together. Computational chemistry was also a valuable tool in explaining the observation. Drawing this connection enables future design of surface coatings wherein molecular design can be employed to make a desired structure with a predictable stability. This work enhances our fundamental understanding on how molecules assemble on surfaces and in crystals. Such work could impact a variety of areas in which surfaces are important, including environmental remediation, surface lubrication, and catalysis. The research also provides useful insights into crystal growth, which would impacts industries such as pharmaceuticals, pigments, and energetic materials. The broader impacts beyond direct impacts on science and technology through presentations and journal articles, involves training undergraduate and graduate students to be flexible scientists to meet our needs for a trained workforce in science and science education.
