Abstract
Surface self-assembly process of 9-anthracene carboxylic acid (AnCA) on Ag(111) was investigated using STM. Depending on the molecular surface density, four spontaneously formed and one annealed AnCA ordered phases were observed, namely a straight belt phase, a zigzag double-belt phase, two simpler dimer phases, and a kagome phase. The two high-density belt phases possess large unit cells on the scale length of 10 nm, which are seldom observed in molecular self-assembled structures. This structural diversity stems from a complicated competition of different interactions of AnCA molecules on metal surface, including intermolecular and molecular-substrate interactions, as well as the steric demand from high molecular surface density.
Highlights
A comprehensive understanding of the self-assembly process of organic molecules on surface, as well as the pathway to control it, will contribute to the fabrication and optimization of the molecular-based nanostructures for applications [1,2,3,4,5]
By relating the structural diversity to different interactions and the steric demand on the surface, we reveal that the dominant force controlling anthracene carboxylic acid (AnCA) self-assembly on Ag(111) goes from intermolecular interaction at high surface density to molecular-substrate interaction at low surface density
This molecule has a planar anthracene core and a carboxylic acid functional group which can rotate around the C–C bond after forming head-to-head hydrogen bonds with another AnCA molecule, as shown in
Summary
A comprehensive understanding of the self-assembly process of organic molecules on surface, as well as the pathway to control it, will contribute to the fabrication and optimization of the molecular-based nanostructures for applications [1,2,3,4,5]. These self-assembled nanostructures are usually stabilized by non-covalent forces, such as hydrogen bonding [6,7,8], metal coordination [9], van der Waals. By choosing appropriate building blocks and growth parameters, different adlayer structures can be produced on surfaces [16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
