Research

The research group focuses on the self-assembly of organic molecules at solid surfaces, mainly at the solid-liquid interface of graphite. A major aspect of the work is the predictable patterning of the surface with monodisperse cyclooligomers, which we call "molecular polygons". These polygons enable the prediction of two-dimensional molecular patterns at the graphite surface, depending on the molecular design. Organic synthesis plays a decisive role in the formation of molecular parquet patterns on surfaces.

In physics and physical chemistry, molecules are fixed to surfaces, for example by "freezing" at low temperatures under ultra-high vacuum conditions. In our work, molecules of specific symmetry and size are designed and synthesized to spontaneously form 2D crystals on suitable surfaces at room temperature. The molecular building blocks are then imaged, for example, with the scanning tunneling microscope, providing submolecular resolution down to individual methylene units of alkyl chains, allowing for precise identification of the individual molecular building blocks.

The group is working at the interface between molecular design, synthetic organic chemistry, supramolecular design (including newly developed adsorbate patterns), and the preparation and experimental study of adsorbate films using scanning probe techniques.