Molecular motors on metal surfaces: Efficient movement without liquids enables precise transport of molecules

Molecular motors on metal surfaces: Efficient movement without liquids enables precise transport of molecules

Title: Revolutionary study reveals efficient, unidirectional molecular movement on metal surfaces

Subtitle: Novel approach enables controlled bottom-up assembly of nanostructures at the atomic scale

Research into plastic molecule motors has taken an exciting new turn, a recently published study shows. A team of scientists has discovered that highly efficient molecular motors can also work on metal surfaces without requiring complex design and synthesis processes.

Previous research has mainly focused on studying molecular motors in solutions and on solid surfaces, which serve as reference points for tracking their movement. However, these molecules require complex design and synthesis because the motor function must be integrated into the chemical structure. Furthermore, they show limitations compared to their functionality in solutions on solid surfaces.

The revolutionary new study now shows that efficient molecular movement is possible on metal surfaces even without complex design and synthesis processes. The researchers combine a simple molecular structure with the metal surface, which alone does not have a motor function. The movement of these molecules is triggered by intramolecular proton transfer, which leads to a modulation of the potential energy layers. Each molecule moves along an atomically defined straight line with 100 percent unidirectionality.

To demonstrate the effectiveness of these engines, the researchers managed to transport individual carbon monoxide molecules in a controlled manner. This breakthrough opens new possibilities for the controlled bottom-up assembly of nanostructures at the atomic scale.

The study was published in the renowned journal “Chemical Society Reviews” and can be viewed at the following link: [1].

This discovery represents a milestone in the development of molecular motors and could have future implications for various fields, including materials science, nanotechnology and medicine. The ability to control nanostructures at the atomic level opens up a variety of new applications and allows scientists to create tailored materials with unique properties.

Research into molecular motors is still in its early stages, but this promising study lays the foundation for further research in this exciting field. It remains to be seen what potential applications and breakthroughs can be achieved in the coming years.

References:
[1] Kassem, S. et al. Artificial molecular motors. Chem. Soc. Rev. 46, 2592–2621 (2017).
Source: http://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06384-y