Impact of long-range attraction on desorption kinetics.

Desorption of molecules from surfaces is widespread both in nature and technology. Despite its omnipresence and conceptual simplicity, fundamental details can be surprisingly complex and are often poorly understood. In many cases, first-order kinetics is assumed, which implies that the adsorbates do not interact with each other and desorption is the rate-limiting process. While this might be a good approximation in some cases, it is far from reality in the case of adsorbates that form ordered structures. Here, we study the desorption of a submonolayer film of 3-nitrophenol from the natural cleavage plane of calcite kept in ultrahigh vacuum. Interestingly, two distinctly different desorption regimes are observed during isothermal desorption monitored by dynamic atomic force microscopy. Initially, at high coverages, the coverage decreases almost linearly in time, indicating a constant desorption rate. Beyond this linear regime, at low coverages, a drastic increase in desorption rate is observed until the surface is completely empty. The transition between these two regimes is associated with a critical island width. We propose an existence of a long-range attractive interaction between the molecules as a possible explanation for the sudden increase in the desorption rate when a critical island width is reached. The herein observed phenomenon of two different desorption regimes is expected to be of general nature when interactions beyond next-neighbour attraction are present.

Correction: Water adsorption lifts the (2 × 1) reconstruction of calcite(104).

Correction for 'Water adsorption lifts the (2 × 1) reconstruction of calcite(104)' by Jonas Heggemann et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2024, 26, 21365-21369, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CP01408H.

How water desorbs from calcite.

Calcite is the most abundant carbonate mineral in Earth's crust. Upon cleavage, the (10.4) plane with a rectangular unit cell is exposed. Interestingly, several experiments suggest a (2 × 1) surface reconstruction. However, clear experimental evidence and a theoretical confirmation were long missing. Recently, convincing indication for a (2 × 1) reconstruction has been given by atomic force microscopies taken at 5 K. Here, we show temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) experiments of water and ethanol desorbing from calcite (10.4) around room temperature. The TPD curves fit excellently to a kinetic model considering two different adsorption sites, as expected in case of a (2 × 1) reconstruction. This finding applies to the desorption of water and ethanol, illustrating that the effect is characteristic for the calcite cleavage plane. Our results thus show that the (2 × 1) reconstruction not only exists at room temperature but has significant impact on the interfacial properties of calcite.

Water adsorption lifts the (2 × 1) reconstruction of calcite(104).

The adsorption of water on calcite(104) is investigated in ultra-high vacuum by density functional theory (DFT) and non-contact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) in the coverage regime of up to one monolayer (ML). DFT calculations reveal a clear preference for water to adsorb on the bulk-like carbonate group rows of the (2 × 1) reconstructed surface. Additionally, an apparent water attraction due to carbonate group reorientation suggest island formation for water adsorbed on the reconstructed carbonate group rows. Experimentally, water is found to exclusively occupy specific positions within the (2 × 1) unit cell up to 0.5 ML, to form islands at coverage between 0.5 and 1 ML, and to express a (1 × 1) structure at coverage of a full monolayer.

Hydration Structure at the Calcite-Water (10.4) Interface in the Presence of Rubidium Chloride.

Solid-liquid interfaces are of significant importance in a multitude of geochemical and technological fields. More specifically, the solvation structure plays a decisive role in the properties of the interfaces. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to resolve the interfacial hydration structure in the presence and absence of ions. Despite many studies investigating the calcite-water interface, the impact of ions on the hydration structure at this interface has rarely been studied. Here, we investigate the calcite-water interface at various concentrations (ranging from 0 to 5 M) of rubidium chloride (RbCl) using three-dimensional atomic force microscopy (3D AFM). We present molecularly resolved images of the hydration structure at the interface. Interestingly, the characteristic pattern of the hydration structure appears similar regardless of the RbCl concentration. The presence of the ions is detected in an indirect manner by more frequent contrast changes and slice displacements.

Crucial impact of exchange between layers on temperature programmed desorption.

Desorption of molecules from surfaces constitutes an elementary process that is fundamental in both natural and application-oriented fields, including dewetting, weathering and catalysis. A powerful method to investigate desorption processes is temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), which offers the potential to provide mechanistic insights into the desorption kinetics. Using TPD, the desorption order, the energy barrier as well as the entropy change upon desorption can be accessed. In the past, several analysis methods have been developed for TPD data. These methods have in common that they rely on the Polanyi-Wigner equation, which requires proposing a desorption mechanism with a single (or at least dominating) desorption path. For real systems, however, several coupled desorption paths can be easily envisioned, which cannot be disentangled. Here, we analyse the influence of exchange between the first and the second adsorbate layer on the desorption process. We present a kinetic model, in which molecules can desorb directly from the first layer or change into the second layer and desorb from there. Interestingly, considering this additional desorption pathway alters the desorption spectrum considerably, even if the transient second-layer occupation remains as small as 4 × 10-6 monolayers. We show that the impact of this layer exchange can be described by a modified Polanyi-Wigner equation. Our study demonstrates that layer exchange can crucially impact the TPD data.

Mobilization upon Cooling.

Phase transitions between different aggregate states are omnipresent in nature and technology. Conventionally, a crystalline phase melts upon heating as we use ice to cool a drink. Already in 1903, Gustav Tammann speculated about the opposite process, namely melting upon cooling. So far, evidence for such "inverse" transitions in real materials is rare and limited to few systems or extreme conditions. Here, we demonstrate an inverse phase transition for molecules adsorbed on a surface. Molybdenum tetraacetate on copper(111) forms an ordered structure at room temperature, which dissolves upon cooling. This transition is mediated by molecules becoming mobile, i.e., by mobilization upon cooling. This unexpected phenomenon is ascribed to the larger number of internal degrees of freedom in the ordered phase compared to the mobile phase at low temperatures.

Origin of Ubiquitous Stripes at the Graphite-Water Interface.

The investigation of solid-liquid interfaces is pivotal for understanding processes like wetting, corrosion, and mineral dissolution and growth. The graphite-water interface constitutes a prime example for studying the water structure at a seemingly hydrophobic surface. Surprisingly, in a large number of atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments, well-ordered stripes have been observed at the graphite-water interface. Although many groups have reported on the observation of stripes at this interface, fundamental properties and, in particular, the origin of the stripes are still under debate. Proposed origins include contamination, interplanar stacking of graphene layers, formation of methanol-water nanostructures, and adsorption of nitrogen molecules. Especially, the latter interpretation has received considerable attention because of its potential impact on explaining the long-range nature of the hydrophobic interaction. In this study, we demonstrate that these stripes readily form when using standard plastic syringes to insert the water into the AFM instrument. In contrast, when clean glass syringes are used instead, no such stripes form even though nitrogen was present. We, therefore, conclude that contaminations from the plastic syringe rather than nitrogen constitute the origin of the stripes we observe. We provide high-resolution AFM data that reveal detailed structural insights into the arrangement of the stripes. The rich variability of our data suggests that the stripes might be composed of several different chemical species. Still, we cannot rule out that the stripes observed in the literature might originate from other sources; our study offers a rather straightforward explanation for the origin of the stripes. In the view of these results, we propose to carefully reconsider former assignments.

Impact of the reaction pathway on the final product in on-surface synthesis.

On-surface synthesis provides a very promising strategy for creating stable functional structures on surfaces. In the past, classical reactions known from solution synthesis have been successfully transferred onto a surface. Due to the presence of the surface, on-surface synthesis provides the potential of directing the reaction pathway in a manner that might not be accessible in classical solution synthesis. In this work, we present evidence for an acetylene polymerization from a terminal alkyne monomer deposited onto calcite (10.4). Strikingly, although the dimer forms on the surface as well, we find no indication for diacetylene polymerization. This is in sharp contrast to what is observed when directly depositing the dimers on the surface. The different pathways are linked to the specific arrangement of the dimers on the surface. When forming stripes along the [-4-21] direction, the diacetylene polymerization is prohibited, while when arranged in stripes aligned along the [010] direction, the dimers can undergo diacetylene polymerization. Our work thus constitutes a demonstration for controlling the specific reaction pathway in on-surface synthesis by the presence of the surface.

Resolving Point Defects in the Hydration Structure of Calcite (10.4) with Three-Dimensional Atomic Force Microscopy.

It seems natural to assume that defects at mineral surfaces critically influence interfacial processes such as the dissolution and growth of minerals in water. The experimental verification of this claim, however, is challenging and requires real-space methods with utmost spatial resolution, such as atomic force microscopy (AFM). While defects at mineral-water interfaces have been resolved in 2D AFM images before, the perturbation of the surrounding hydration structure has not yet been analyzed experimentally. In this Letter, we demonstrate that point defects on the most stable and naturally abundant calcite (10.4) surface can be resolved using high-resolution 3D AFM-even within the fifth hydration layer. Our analysis of the hydration structure surrounding the point defect shows a perturbation of the hydration with a lateral extent of approximately one unit cell. These experimental results are corroborated by molecular dynamics simulations.

Chemical Identification at the Solid-Liquid Interface.

Solid-liquid interfaces are decisive for a wide range of natural and technological processes, including fields as diverse as geochemistry and environmental science as well as catalysis and corrosion protection. Dynamic atomic force microscopy nowadays provides unparalleled structural insights into solid-liquid interfaces, including the solvation structure above the surface. In contrast, chemical identification of individual interfacial atoms still remains a considerable challenge. So far, an identification of chemically alike atoms in a surface alloy has only been demonstrated under well-controlled ultrahigh vacuum conditions. In liquids, the recent advent of three-dimensional force mapping has opened the potential to discriminate between anionic and cationic surface species. However, a full chemical identification will also include the far more challenging situation of alike interfacial atoms (i.e., with the same net charge). Here we demonstrate the chemical identification capabilities of dynamic atomic force microscopy at solid-liquid interfaces by identifying Ca and Mg cations at the dolomite-water interface. Analyzing site-specific vertical positions of hydration layers and comparing them with molecular dynamics simulations unambiguously unravels the minute but decisive difference in ion hydration and provides a clear means for telling calcium and magnesium ions apart. Our work, thus, demonstrates the chemical identification capabilities of dynamic AFM at the solid-liquid interface.

Molecular Self-Assembly Versus Surface Restructuring During Calcite Dissolution.

Organic additives are known to alter the mineral-water interface in various ways. On the one hand, organic molecules can self-assemble into ordered structures wetting the surface. On the other hand, their presence can affect the interfacial morphology, referred to as surface restructuring. Here, we investigate the impact of a class of calcium-complexing azo dyes on the dissolution of calcite (10.4) using high-resolution atomic force microscopy operated in aqueous solution, with a focus on the two constitutional isomers Eriochrome Black T and Eriochrome Black A. A very pronounced surface restructuring is observed in the presence of the dye solution, irrespective of the specific dye used and independent of the pH. This surface restructuring is obtained by the stabilization of both the nonpolar acute and the polar [010] step edges, resulting in a greatly altered, characteristic interface morphology. In sharp contrast to the prevalence of the surface restructuring, an ordered molecular structure on the crystal terraces is observed only under very specific conditions. This formation of an ordered stripe-like molecular structure is obtained from Eriochrome Black A only and limited to a very narrow pH window at a pH value of around 3.6. Our results indicate that such molecular self-assembly requires a rather precise adjustment of the molecular properties including control of the conformation and deprotonation state. This is in sharp contrast to the additive-induced surface restructuring, which appears to be far more robust against both pH changes and variations in the molecular conformation.

Growth kinetics of racemic heptahelicene-2-carboxylic acid nanowires on calcite (104).

Molecular self-assembly of racemic heptahelicene-2-carboxylic acid on a dielectric substrate at room temperature can be used to generate wire-like organic nanostructures consisting of single and double molecular rows. By means of non-contact atomic force microscopy, we investigate the growth of the wire-like pattern after deposition by experimental and theoretical means. From analyzing the time dependence of the mean row length, two distinct regimes were found. At the early post-deposition stage, the mean length grows in time. Subsequently, a crossover to a second regime is observed, where the mean row length remains nearly constant. We explain these findings by a mean-field rate equation approach providing a comprehensive picture of the growth kinetics. As a result, we demonstrate that the crossover between the two distinct regimes is accomplished by vanishing of the homochiral single rows. At later stages only heterochiral double row structures remain.

On-surface reactions.

On-surface synthesis constitutes a rapidly growing field of research due to its promising application for creating stable molecular structures on surfaces. While self-assembled structures rely on reversible interactions, on-surface synthesis provides the potential for creating long-term stable structures with well-controlled properties, for example superior electron transport for future molecular electronic devices. On-surface synthesis holds the promise for preparing insoluble compounds that cannot be produced in solution. Another highly exciting aspect of on-surface synthesis is the chance to discover new reaction pathways due to the two-dimensional confinement of the reaction educts. In this review, we discuss the current state-of-the-art and classify the reactions that have been successfully performed so far. Special emphasis is put on electrically insulating surfaces, as these substrates pose particular challenges for on-surface synthesis while at the same time bearing high potential for future use, for example, in molecular electronics.

Stabilization of Polar Step Edges on Calcite (10.4) by the Adsorption of Congo Red.

In this work, we present the stabilization of polar step edges along the [010] direction of calcite (10.4) by the presence of a water-soluble organic molecule, namely Congo Red. While characteristic etch pits are observed on the surface in the absence of the additive, no etch pits can be found in the presence of the additive. Using atomic force microscopy, we can directly follow the restructuring of the surface. Upon addition of Congo Red, the charge-neutral step edges confining the characteristic etch pits vanish, while polar step edges along the [010] direction appear on the surface, which are entirely decorated by well-ordered molecular islands of the additive. After the restructuring has taken place, the surface exclusively exhibits these polar step edges. Our results give direct evidence of the fact that these polar step edges become thermodynamically favored when Congo Red is present.

One-pot synthesis and AFM imaging of a triangular aramide macrocycle.

Macrocyclizations in exceptionally good yields were observed during the self-condensation of N-benzylated phenyl p-aminobenzoates in the presence of LiHMDS to yield three-membered cyclic aramides that adopt a triangular shape. An ortho-alkyloxy side chain on the N-benzyl protecting group is necessary for the macrocyclization to occur. Linear polymers are formed exclusively in the absence of this Li-chelating group. A model that explains the lack of formation of other cyclic congeners and the demand for an N-(o-alkoxybenzyl) protecting group is provided on the basis of DFT calculations. High-resolution AFM imaging of the prepared molecular triangles on a calcite(10.4) surface shows individual molecules arranged in groups of four due to strong surface templating effects and hydrogen bonding between the molecular triangles.

Three-dimensional hydration layer mapping on the (10.4) surface of calcite using amplitude modulation atomic force microscopy.

Calcite, the most stable modification of calcium carbonate, is a major mineral in nature. It is, therefore, highly relevant in a broad range of fields such as biomineralization, sea water desalination and oil production. Knowledge of the surface structure and reactivity of the most stable cleavage plane, calcite (10.4), is pivotal for understanding the role of calcite in these diverse areas. Given the fact that most biological processes and technical applications take place in an aqueous environment, perhaps the most basic - yet decisive - question addresses the interaction of water molecules with the calcite (10.4) surface. In this work, amplitude modulation atomic force microscopy is used for three-dimensional (3D) mapping of the surface structure and the hydration layers above the surface. An easy-to-use scanning protocol is implemented for collecting reliable 3D data. We carefully discuss a comprehensible criterion for identifying the solid-liquid interface within our data. In our data three hydration layers form a characteristic pattern that is commensurate with the underlying calcite surface.

Decisive influence of substitution positions in molecular self-assembly.

Molecular self-assembly provides a versatile tool for creating functional molecular structures at surfaces. A rational design of molecular structure formation requires not only an in-depth understanding of the subtle balance between intermolecular and molecule-surface interactions, but might also involve considering chemical changes of the molecules, such as deprotonation. Here, we present a systematic investigation of a comparatively simple class of molecules, namely dihydroxybenzoic acid, which, nevertheless, enables creating a rich variety of structures when deposited onto calcite (10.4) held at room temperature. Based on non-contact atomic force microscopy measurements in ultra-high vacuum, our study demonstrates the decisive impact of the positions of the hydroxyl groups on the structure formation. Six isomers of dihydroxybenzoic acid exist which form six different molecular structures on the calcite surface. Surprisingly, only two isomers arrange into stable, ordered structures at sub-monolayer coverage: 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid forms a commensurate (1 × 5) structure, composed of deprotonated molecules. A double-row structure consisting of protonated molecules is observed for 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid. The positions of the functional groups steer the molecular self-assembly of dihydroxybenzoic acids in three distinct ways, namely by (a) affecting the deprotonation tendency of the acid group, (b) influencing the intermolecular interaction as already indicated by greatly different bulk structures and (c) altering the molecule-substrate matching. Our results, thus, shed light on the impact of rather small changes in the molecular structure on the structural variety in molecular self-assembly on surfaces.

Substrate templating guides the photoinduced reaction of C60 on calcite.

A substrate-guided photochemical reaction of C60 fullerenes on calcite, a bulk insulator, investigated by non-contact atomic force microscopy is presented. The success of the covalent linkage is evident from a shortening of the intermolecular distances, which is clearly expressed by the disappearance of the moiré pattern. Furthermore, UV/Vis spectroscopy and mass spectrometry measurements carried out on thick films demonstrate the ability of our setup for initiating the photoinduced reaction. The irradiation of C60 results in well-oriented covalently linked domains. The orientation of these domains is dictated by the lattice dimensions of the underlying calcite substrate. Using the lattice mismatch to deliberately steer the direction of the chemical reaction is expected to constitute a general design principle for on-surface synthesis. This work thus provides a strategy for controlled fabrication of oriented, covalent networks on bulk insulators.

Atomic structure and water arrangement on K-feldspar microcline (001).

The properties of clouds, such as their reflectivity or their likelihood to precipitate, depend on whether the cloud droplets are liquid or frozen. Thus, understanding the ice nucleation mechanisms is essential for the development of reliable climate models. Most ice nucleation in the atmosphere is heterogeneous, i.e., caused by ice nucleating particles such as mineral dusts or organic aerosols. In this regard, K-feldspar minerals have attracted great interest recently as they have been identified as one of the most important ice nucleating particles under mixed-phase cloud conditions. The mechanism by which feldspar minerals facilitate ice nucleation remains, however, elusive. Here, we present atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments on microcline (001) performed in an ultrahigh vacuum and at the solid-water interface together with density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) calculations. Our ultrahigh vacuum data reveal features consistent with a hydroxyl-terminated surface. This finding suggests that water in the residual gas readily reacts with the surface. Indeed, the corresponding DFT calculations confirm a dissociative water adsorption. Three-dimensional AFM measurements performed at the mineral-water interface unravel a layered hydration structure with two features per surface unit cell. A comparison with MD calculations suggests that the structure observed in AFM corresponds to the second hydration layer rather than the first water layer. In agreement with previous computation results, no ice-like structure is seen, questioning an explanation of the ice nucleation ability by lattice match. Our results provide an atomic-scale benchmark for the clean and water-covered microcline (001) plane, which is mandatory for understanding the ice nucleation mechanism on feldspar minerals.