Effect of Tunneling Electron Injection on the Dynamic Motion of Confined Molecules in Self-Assembled Molecular Corrals

Abstract

The dynamic motion of trimethylphosphine (TMP) adsorbates enclosed in self-assembled pyrrole molecular corral structures was observed using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) techniques. Sequential STM images were obtained under various sample bias and tunneling current conditions to investigate the influence of tunneling conditions on the TMP dynamic motion. It was observed that the TMP adsorbates attempt to move more frequently at lower sample bias conditions, and the TMP movement holds a linear-like relationship with the sample bias. The Si–P antibonding orbitals get stimulated at lower sample bias conditions, which in turn weaken the Si–P bond and force the TMP adsorbates to move. A process can be developed using this attribute to control the dynamic TMP motion such that this molecular system can be utilized as a molecular electronic device.