Direct Imaging of Photo-Switching Molecular Conformations Using Individual Metal Atom Markers

摘要： Photo-switching behavior of individual organic molecules was imaged by annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF-STEM) using a highly electron beam transparent graphene support. Photo-switching azobenzene derivatives with ligands at each ends containing single transition metal atoms (Pt) were designed (Pt-complex), and the distance between the strong ADF-STEM contrast from the two Pt atoms in each Pt-complex is used to track molecular length changes. UV irradiation was used to induce photo-switching of the Pt complex on graphene, and we show that the measured Pt-Pt distances within isolated molecules decreases from ~2.1 nm to ~1.4 nm, indicative of a trans-to-cis isomerization. Light illumination of the Pt-complex on the graphene support also caused their diffusion out from initial clusters to the surrounding area of graphene, indicating that the light-activated mobilization overcomes the inter-molecular van der Waals interactions. This approach shows how individual isolated heavy metal atoms can be included as markers into complex molecules to track their structural changes using ADF-STEM on graphene supports, providing an effective method to study a diverse range of complex organic materials at the single molecule level.