Layer-by-Layer Assemblies of Coordinative Surface-Confined Electroactive Multilayers: Zigzag vs Orthogonal Molecular Wires with Linear vs Molecular Sponge Type of Growth

Abstract

Surface-anchored coordination-based molecular assemblies (CBMA) are very powerful tools for the design of modern materials. The CBMAs were created using bis-terpyridine–iron coordination chemistry by the alternation of linear or bent bis-terpyridine ligands and Fe(II) metal centers. The coordination of the bent ligand results in the formation of zigzag structures that experience linear growth with each successive deposition step. Interestingly, the deposition of the linear ligand has two distinct steps. During the first four deposition cycles, the thickness and iron uptake (surface coverage) of the multilayer change similarly to ones of the bent ligand based multilayer. However, during the following deposition cycles, the linear ligand based multilayer demonstrates significantly higher growth rate. This unusual behavior might be attributed with the reorganizational transformations leading to a higher organizational level of the assembly. As a result, a part of templating layer molecules, which due to ster...