Filippo Giovanni Fabozzi (HU Berlin)
Investigating and controlling molecular processes at surfaces and interfaces is central to advancing our fundamental understanding and improving material and device performance. In this context, Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) at the liquid–solid interface stands as a primary tool for visualizing and controlling molecular phenomena on crystalline surfaces, thanks to its unprecedented lateral resolution. However, full understanding and precise control over the formation of molecular assemblies remain among the main challenges in surface science.
Following a brief introduction to supramolecular chemistry at surfaces, this lecture will illustrate how molecular design enables access to complex, unprecedented supramolecular structures at surfaces. Particular attention will be focused on molecular symmetry, revealing how the transition from high- to low-symmetry building blocks allow the formation of two-dimensional organic quasicrystals. Finally, an example of controlled modulation of the electric field induced by the STM tip permits dynamic manipulation of supramolecular assemblies and their higher-order superstructures.
