Characterization of spin crossover crystal surface by AFM
(2010) Physica Status Solidi. A: Applications and Materials Science (Print) — Vol. 207, p. 1227-1231 (2010)
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- Imaging nano-domains in spin crossover (SCO) compounds remains so far an unreached goal. We report on the first AFM tapping-mode investigation of SCO single crystals, performed at room temperature with the well known mononuclear compound [Fe(ptz)(6)](BF4)(2) (ptz = 1-propyl-tetrazole) and the trinuclear supramolecular compound [Fe-3(hyetrz)(6)(H2O)(6)](CF3SO3)(6) (hyetrz = 4-(2’-hydroxyethyl)-1,2,4-triazole) which shows a gradual spin conversion centred at room temperature. The natural surface of the former crystal revealed a volatile coating of the scanned area attributed to the transport of adsorbed water under the effect of interaction with the AFM tip. The second one showed astonishing leopard-skin patterns assigned to the effect of atmospheric humidity on this hygroscopic compound. Their origin is discussed. We suggest the use of fluid coating layers as a general method for revealing the nano-patterning of physical properties (e.g. like-spin domains) at the surface of dielectric materials. [GRAPHICS] AFM-tapping images of [Fe-3(hyetrz)(6)(H2O)(6)](CF3SO3)(6) room temperature and ambient atmosphere. (C) 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
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Chong, C., Berini, B., Boukheddaden, K., Codjovi, E., Linares, J., Garcia, Y., Naik, A. D., & Varret, F. (2010). Characterization of spin crossover crystal surface by AFM. Physica Status Solidi. A: Applications and Materials Science (Print), 207, 1227-1231. https://doi.org/10.1002/pssa.200925502 (Original work published 2010)