Angle-dependent strength of a single chemical bond by stereographic force spectroscopy

Abstract: A wealth of chemical bonds and polymers have been studied with single-molecule force spectroscopy, usually by applying a force perpendicular to the anchoring surface. However, the direction-dependence of the bond strength lacks fundamental understanding. Here we establish stereographic force spectroscopy to study the single-bond strength for various pulling angles. Surprisingly, we find that the apparent bond strength increases with increasing pulling angle relative to the anchoring surface normal, indicating a sturdy mechanical anisotropy of a chemical bond. This finding can be rationalized by a fixed pathway for the rupture of the bond, resulting in an effective projection of the applied pulling force onto a nearly fixed rupture direction. Our study is fundamental for the molecular understanding of the role of the direction of force application in molecular adhesion and friction. It is also a prerequisite for the nanoscale tailoring of the anisotropic strength of bottom-up designed materials

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Chemical science. - 13, 19 (2022) , 5734-5740, ISSN: 2041-6539

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Freiburg
• (who): Universität
• (when): 2022
• Creator: Cai, Wanhao ; Bullerjahn, Jakob Tómas ; Lallemang, Max ; Kroy, Klaus ; Balzer, Bizan N. ; Hugel, Thorsten

Further information

• DOI: 10.1039/D2SC01077A
• URN: urn:nbn:de:bsz:25-freidok-2265291
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:30 AM CEST