Irma CUSTOVIC : "From supramolecular self-assemblies to on-surface synthesis monitored by SPM"

Travaux de thèse d'Irma CUSTOVIC : "From supramolecular self-assemblies to on-surface synthesis monitored by SPM"

Due to the current restrictions of COVID-19, my defense will be held by video-conference, and those who are interested into following it, need to conntact director of my thesis, Dr. Fréderic Cheriouxerioux.

Abstract : 
This thesis deals with investigation, by means of scanning tunneling Microscopy in UHV and Atomic Force Microscopy at ambient conditions, of supramolecular networks based on molecular self-assembly on different kinds of surfaces: Au(111), Si(111)-B and HOPG, as well as investigation of on-surface synthesis of covalently bonded nanostructures.
The results obtained by STM in UHV system are based on comparision of supramolecular networks of dipolar molecules, LdipCC, on Au(111) and Si(111)-B surfaces. Due to suitable balance between contemplating choice of underlaying substrate and molecule-molecule interactions, LdipCC molecules self-assembled into extended and periodical networks on both surfaces. On Au(111) surface, LdipCC molecules assembled into extended, porous-like network, govern by molecule-molecule interactions while on Si(111)-B surface, LdipCC molecules self-assembled into homogenious, extended paralell alingment of molecular LdipCC dipoles due to stronger molecule-surface interactions.

Resultes, obtained by AFM at ambient conditions and monitored by "Peak Force Tapping" mode, are based on on-surface synthesis of covalently bonded self-asembled networks on HOPG surface. Two different molecules, one bearing ethylene groups and another bearing EPOXY functional group, self-assembled into 2D extended networks on HOPG surface. Ethyelene based supramolecular network was exposed to the thermal energy while EPOXY based supramolecular network was exposed to the UV light source. The proposed mechanisams based on analysis of topography and adhesion AFM images suggest that thermally induced on-surface alkene dimerization reactions and UV-light initiated polymerization occured on HOPG surface. In such a way, 2D self-assembled networks on HOPG surface were converted into covalently-bonded supramolecular self-assemblies. 

Jury Composition :

Mme. Laurence MASSON , Professeur de Aix-Marseille Université, Reviewer
M. Antonio TEJEDA, Dr. CNRS, Laboratoire de Physique des Solides Orsay, Reviewer
M. Pascal BRIOIS, Maitre de Conférences UTBM/UFC, President of the jury
M. Carmelo PIRRI, Professeur de Université de Haute Alsace, Examinateur

M. Peter de WOLF, Dr. AD, Bruker Nano Surfaces and Metrology, Revoiewer
M. Fréderic CHERIOUX, Dr. CNRS, FEMTO-ST, PhD Director
M. Frank PALMINO, Professeur Université de Franche-Comté, Co-PhD Director

Localization : Amphithéâtre Réseau et Télécommunication, au UFC, 4 Place Tharradin Campus Porte de Jura,25200 Montbéliard