Gas Reaction Dynamics on Layers of Metal Coordination Complexes

University Of California-San Diego, La Jolla CA

Investigators

Abstract

Reactive scattering of small molecules from metal phthalocyanine surfaces is used to probe chemisorption dynamics on model organic surfaces. The distinct roles of organic and metal center on the adsorption dynamics is examined in this research project supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program. Professor Kummel and his coworkers at the University of California-San Diego use a combination of molecular beam scattering tools and scanning tunneling microscopy to examine the dynamics of small molecule adsorption on these model organic surfaces. Bonding sites are examined using STM and STS, chemisorption mechanism is probed using reactive scattering molecular beam methods, and density functional calculations are carried out to model the experimental results. Understanding how small molecules adsorb and react on organic and organometallic surfaces is the goal of this research project supported in the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program. Using a combination of experimental probes, particularly molecular beam scattering and scanning probe microscopy, the detailed dynamics of small molecules interacting with phthalocyanine surfaces are examined. This fundamental information may have applicability in the design of molecule specific sensors and organic molecule electronics.