Figure 1: Schematic of the experimental model systems.
From: Deciphering the scaling of single-molecule interactions using Jarzynski’s equality
(a) In SM-AFM experiments a functionalized SAM (that is, in setting 1: NH2; or in setting 2: COOH) is used to ‘fish’ for complementary (that is, COOH or NH2) end-functionalities of end-grafted PEG-tethers extending from a lipid bilayer. (b) Complementary, macro-scale SFA measurements are used to probe the same molecularly designed systems with much larger contact area and hence a number of up to 107 single-molecular bonds interacting simultaneously. Variation of the coverage Γ allows varying number densities of end-functionalized PEG45–X (with X=–NH2 or –O–CH3) tethers and hence potentially formed molecular bonds, as well as adjustment of the average distances Dφ between the tethered functional groups.
