Nanoconfined self-assembly on a grafted graphitic surface under electrochemical control

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Abstract
Highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) can be covalently grafted with aryl radicals generated via the electrochemical reduction of 3,5-bis-tert-butyl-diazonium cations (3,5-TBD). The structure of the grafted layer and its stability under electrochemical conditions were assessed with electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Stable within a wide (>2.5 V) electrochemical window, the grafted species can be locally removed using EC-STM-tip nanolithography. Using dibenzyl viologen as an example, we show that the generated nanocorrals of bare graphitic surface can be used to study nucleation and growth of self-assembled structures under conditions of nanoconfinement and electrochemical potential control.
Funding Information
  • Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
  • European Research Council (340324)
  • Federaal Wetenschapsbeleid (IAP 7/05)

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