Stable self-assembly of dipolar molecules on an Au(111) surface under UHV and an inert-atmosphere

The growth of an extended supramolecular network using dipolar molecules as the building blocks is of great technological interest. We investigated the self-assembly of a dipolar molecule on an Au(111) surface. The formation of an extended two-dimensional network was demonstrated by scanning tunnelling microscopy under ultra-high vacuum and explained in terms of molecule-molecule interactions. This 2D-network is still stable under the pressure of one atmosphere of nitrogen, which demonstrated its interest for the development of submolecular-precisely polyfunctional smart surfaces.