Scientists from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have used Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) to observe the interactions between aromatic molecules and gold surfaces at the single molecular level. By constructing an Au nanodimer structure with a subnanometer gap, they obtained surface molecular vibration spectrum information and achieved highly sensitive SERS detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This research provides new insights into the interfacial interaction between aromatic molecules and gold, with implications for both fundamental science and technological applications.
Scientists have experimentally confirmed a decades-old theory of a non-uniform distribution of electron density in aromatic molecules. This discovery expands the possibilities for designing new nanomaterials and understanding chemical and biological processes. The researchers used advanced scanning electron microscopy to visualize the electron shell structure of atoms and confirmed the existence of the π-hole, a positively charged electron hole. The success of the experiment was attributed to the excellent facilities and participation of Ph.D. students. Theoretical predictions in quantum chemistry have been validated, demonstrating their reliability even without available experiments.
Scientists from Durham University and the University of York have twisted molecules to their limits to challenge understanding of chemical bonds. They examined how much twisting the chemical bonding in an aromatic ring could endure before it broke. By creating overcrowded aromatic rings, they found that low levels of overcrowding made the ring twist, but without breaking its aromatic bonding. The researchers found there is a balance point, where the ring jumps back and forth between the aromatic structure and the two smaller rings. The study was funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
