engleski

London Dispersion Directs On-Surface Self-Assembly of [121]Tetramantane Molecules

London dispersion (LD) acts between all atoms and molecules in nature, but the role of LD interactions in the self-assembly of molecular layers is still poorly understood. In this study direct visualization of single molecules using atomic force microscopy with CO-functionalized tips revealed exact adsorption structure of bulky and highly polarizable [121]tetramantane molecules on Au(111) and Cu(111) surfaces. We could therefore determine the absolute molecular orientation of bulky, completely sp3 hybridized molecules on metal surfaces. Moreover, we demonstrated how LD drives this on-surface self-assembly of [121]tetramantane hydrocarbons, resulting in the formation of a highly ordered 2D lattice. Our experimental findings were underpinned by a systematic computational study, which allowed us to quantify the energies associated with LD interactions and to analyze intermolecular close contacts and attractions in more detail.

bond imaging, CO-functionalized tips, diamondoids, low temperature noncontact atomic force microscopy, van der Waals interactions

M.Š. would like to thank the Alexander-von-Humboldt Foundation for a Humboldt Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Researchers.