Structural transition of molecular assembly under photo-irradiation: an STM study

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2008 Nov 21;10(43):6467-78. doi: 10.1039/b810304f. Epub 2008 Sep 30.

Abstract

Surface photochemistry processes have attracted increasing interest from both fundamental and application viewpoints. The development of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) provides us a great opportunity to investigate photo-induced structural transition on surface with a high spatial resolution in real space. The detailed structural information of the organization of photoresponsive molecules in the adlayer is resolved and their structural transition during the photochemical processes is observed. The photo-induced structural and property transitions inspire new application potential of photoresponsive molecules in the field of molecular devices, supramolecular assembly and advanced materials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Light*
  • Microscopy, Scanning Tunneling
  • Models, Chemical
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Photochemical Processes
  • Photochemistry / methods*
  • Retina / metabolism
  • Rhodopsin / metabolism

Substances

  • Rhodopsin