Nanoparticle characterization based on STM and STS

Abstract

In this review, we describe recent progress made in the study of nanoparticles characterized by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS). Basic principles of STM measurements and single-electron tunneling phenomena through a single NP are summarized. We highlight the results of electrical and photonic properties on NPs studied by STM and STS. Because nanoparticles are single-digit nanometre in diameter, a single-electron transport on individual nanoparticles such as Coulomb blockade and resonant tunneling through discrete energy levels are investigated. Photon-emission from NPs is also introduced based on STM measurements. Novel single-nanoparticle functions such as stochastic blinking and one-write erasing behaviours are presented. This review provides an overview of nanoparticle characterization methods based on STM and STS that include the detailed understanding of the electrical and photonics properties of nanoparticles.

Untangling the Role of the Capping Agent in Nanocatalysis: Recent Advances and Perspectives

“…Since the pioneer works of Vogel [71] and Wang [72], reporting the STM-investigation of the ligand shell morphology in surfactant-protected Pd NPs and in PVP-protected Pt NPs, respectively, STM imaging techniques have been widely employed to obtain information at molecular scale about the ligand organization. Recently, Majima et al summarized progresses in the STM-based characterization of ligand capped nanoparticles [73]. In this context, it Besides the balance between intermolecular and metal-molecule interactions, the morphology of the ligand shell is a function of chain length, surface coverage degree and surface curvature of the metal nanoparticle.…”

Oligomeric ferrocene rings

“…Applying this methodology to 1,1′-diiodoferrocene (fc 1 I 2 ), 1,1′′′-diiodobiferrocene (fc 2 I 2 ) and 1,1′′′′′-diiodoterferrocene (fc 3 I 2 ) at high dilution, cyclo(1,1′-quinqueferrocene) (cyclo [5]; n = 5), cyclo(1,1′-sexiferrocene) (cyclo [6]; n = 6), cyclo(1,1′-septiferrocene) (cyclo [7]; n = 7) and cyclo(1,1′-noviferrocene) (cyclo [9]; n = 9) were fully or partially isolated for the first time (Fig. 1a).…”

“…The crude product (with an estimated 5% yield of cyclic products, based on expected losses from chromatography; solid or concentrated solution) was pre-absorbed on alumina (grade V) and purified by chromatography on a petroleum benzene packed alumina column eluting with petroleum benzene-toluene (1:0 → 8:2 vol/vol). Fractions containing cyclo [5] and a mixture of cyclo [6] and cyclo [7] were separately combined and each further purified by column chromatography on n-hexane packed silica columns, eluting with n-hexane-toluene (1:0 → 2:8 vol/vol). Pure cyclo [5] (<0.001 g, <1%) and a mixture of cyclo [6] and cyclo [7] in a 63:37 ratio (0.003 g, 1%) were obtained as orange solids from selected fractions.…”

Single-site surface-enhanced Raman scattering beyond spectroscopy

“…An interesting property of a single molecule is its conductivity [34]. Single-molecule junctions composed of a metal-molecule-metal motif have been widely investigated with the aim to realize molecule-scale components for novel electronic devices, in the future.…”