Abstract
The Mn12 single-molecule magnets (SMMs) could be attached to the surface of spherical silica for the first time with a high probability. This allowed separation of the individual molecular magnets and direct microscopic observation of the SMMs. We described in detail how to fabricate such a composite material. The synthesis procedure proposed here is simple and efficient. We confirmed the efficiency of the method by transmission electron microscopy (TEM): single-molecule magnets were visible at the surface of a silica substrate. Based on TEM observation, we described how the molecules anchor to the surface of silica (the geometry of the magnetic molecule in regard to the surface of the substrate). The SQUID magnetometry showed that single-molecule magnet behaviour is kept intact after grafting. The attachment of the single-molecule magnets to the surface of silica allows to investigate their properties as separate molecules. This is particularly important in the analysis of magnetic properties such as magnetic states of the separated SMMs, their mutual interactions, and the influence of a silica support.
Highlights
The first synthesis of single-molecule magnets (SMMs, Mn12ac16) was described by Lis et al in 1980 [1]
One of the most important problems related to this material is the investigation of its individual molecules because Mn12ac16 is practically insoluble in commonly available solvents [4]
The individual molecules can be observed with the use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
Summary
The first synthesis of single-molecule magnets (SMMs, Mn12ac16) was described by Lis et al in 1980 [1]. We propose a novel, simple, and efficient procedure that allows for the separation of Mn12ac16-based single-molecule magnets. The spherical shape of the silica support allows for a very precise microscopic observation making the individual single-molecule magnets clearly visible.
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