Consecutive Charging of a Molecule-on-Insulator Ensemble Using Single Electron Tunnelling Methods

We present the local charge state modification at room temperature of small insulator-supported molecular ensembles formed by 1,1′-ferrocenedicarboxylic acid on calcite. Single electron tunnelling between the conducting tip of a noncontact atomic force microscope (NC-AFM) and the molecular islands is observed. By joining NC-AFM with Kelvin probe force microscopy, successive charge build-up in the sample is observed from consecutive experiments. Charge transfer within the islands and structural relaxation of the adsorbate/surface system is suggested by the experimental data.