Atomic force microscopy study of Mn12O12(O2CC4H3S)(16)(H2O)(4) single-molecule magnet adsorbed on Au surface

Abstract

A film of Mn12O12(O2CC4H3S).(16)(H2O)(4) molecules was chemically deposited onto an atomically flat Au(111) surface. The surface morphology of the film and the elastic property of the molecules were investigated using tapping-mode atomic force microscopy. The molecules were determined to be randomly arranged with an abnormal height distribution due to the anisotropic shape and bonding probability of the molecules. We also measured the amplitude-distance curves for the molecules and determined that the mechanical stiffness k(s) of the molecules adsorbed on the An(111) surface is about 0.2N/m.