Characterization of Self-Assembled Dendritic Complex with Pt(II) Ion Using Tapping-Mode Atomic Force Microscopy

In this study, the terpyridine-platinum(II)complex on the periphery of the dendritic carbosilane has been prepared from the reaction of Pt(COD)Cl2and the 4′-functionalized-(2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine)on dendrimers. The same self-assembly procedure of the dendrimer was used for two different concentrations. One for the isolated dendrimers, the other for the film. Tapping-mode atomic force microscopy(TM-AFM)has been used to investigate the shape and size of dendrimers individually dispersed on Au(III)substrate, as well as the film of the dendrimer. As a result, the imaged single dendrimer show that dendrimer is dome shaped and its size can be measured by TM-AFM. However, with that of higher concentration, it was difficult to obtain a clear image of the single molecule. In addition, we measured I–V curve using STS, which shows the ohmic contact between − 0.22 V and 0.22 V, and beyond that range, the current was increased exponentially.