| AVS 63rd International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Scanning Probe Microscopy Focus Topic | Wednesday Sessions |
| Session SP+SS+TF-WeM |
| Session: | Probing Electronic Properties |
| Presenter: | Nathan Guisinger, Argonne National Laboratory |
| Authors: | N.P. Guisinger, Argonne National Laboratory B. Kiraly, Northwestern University R. Rankin, Villanova University |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Both chirality and molecular assembly are essential and key components to life. In this study we explore the molecular assembly of the amino acid tryptophan (both L- and D- chiralities) on Cu(111). Our investigation utilizes low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy to observe resulting assemblies at the molecular scale. We find that depositing a racemic mixture of both L- and D- tryptophan results in the assembly of basic 6 molecule “Lego” structures that are enantiopure. These enantiopure “Legos” further assemble into 1-dimensional chains one block at a time. These resulting chains are also enantiopure with chiral selectivity occurring at two stages of assembly. Utilizing scanning tunneling spectroscopy we are able to probe the electronic structure of the chiral Legos that give insight into the root of the observed selectivity.