Interplay between Structural and Electronic Properties in 1,4,5,8-Naphthalenetetracarboxylic Dianhydride Films on Cu(100)

Abstract

Using various surface science techniques, we have studied the properties of 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTCDA) thin films on a Cu(100) surface. STM investigations suggest the high mobility of the NTCDA molecules over the surface, leading to the formation of large and well-ordered islands. In line with LEED results, two typical domains with different molecular orientations and brick-wall-like structure are revealed in the STM images. On the other hand, a fingerprint of covalent bonding at the NTCDA/Cu interface is obtained from the core level shifts measured by high-resolution XPS. As a consequence, a charge transfer process develops at the interface and enables a total filling of the π*-like lowest unoccupied orbital, which is the signature of the semiconductor character of the NTCDA layer. The carbon K-edge NEXAFS data confirm the chemisorption nature of the interaction between NTCDA and the Cu(100) surface and indicate an evolution from a flat-lying orientation of NTCDA at 1 ML to a straight-up orientation in a thick layer.