화학공학소재연구정보센터
Advanced Functional Materials, Vol.13, No.8, 615-620, 2003
Analysis of metallo-supramolecular systems using single-molecule force spectroscopy
Single-molecule force spectroscopy has been used for the investigation of the rupture behavior of individual metallo-supramolecular systems. For this purpose, a specifically designed unsymmetrical alpha,omega-functionalized poly(ethylene oxide) has been employed for mono-termination with a terpyridine ligand and subsequently for the attachment onto atomic force microscopy (AFM) tips and microscope slide substrates. Metallo-supramolecular complexes were formed by the use of ruthenium(III)-ruthenium(II) chemistry. Vertical stretching with the AFM cantilever ruptured the coordinative bonds. The rupture force of individual bisterpyridine ruthenium(II) complexes was determined to be 95 pN at a force loading rate of 1 nN s(-1). Simultaneous rupturing of multiple parallel metallo-supramolecular bonds was also observed. Monte Carlo simulations corroborated the experimental observations. The presented results lay the basis for the application of such metallo-supramolecular systems in advanced functional nanomaterials.