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Published on: March 4, 2021
On-Surface Self-Assembly of a C3 -Symmetric π-Conjugated Molecule Family Studied by STM: Two-Dimensional Nanoporous
Hongliang Dai1,2, Shuai Wang1,2, Ichiro Hisaki3
1CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), Beijing, 100190, P.R. China.
Abstract:
The on-surface self-assembled behavior of four C3 -symmetric π-conjugated planar molecules (Tp, T12, T18, and Ex) has been investigated. These molecules are excellent building blocks for the construction of noncovalent organic frameworks in the bulk phase. Their hydrogen-bonded 2D on-surface self-assemblies are observed under STM at the solid/liquid interface; these structures are very different to those in the bulk crystal. Upon combining the results of STM measurements and DFT calculations, the formation mechanism of different assemblies is revealed; in particular, the critical role of hydrogen bonding in the assemblies. This research provides us with not only a deep insight into the self-assembled behavior of these novel functional molecules, but also a convenient approach toward the construction of 2D multiporous networks.
