Stable Au(111) Hexagonal Reconstruction Induced by Perchlorinated Nanographene Molecules

Area of Science:

• Surface science
• Materials science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Surface reconstructions significantly impact molecular adsorption and arrangement.
• The Au(111) surface commonly exhibits a herringbone reconstruction with reactive elbow sites.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the structural changes on a Au(111) surface after depositing large organic perchlorinated molecules.
• To understand the role of annealing on molecular arrangement and surface reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• High-vacuum electrospray deposition of organic molecules onto Au(111).
• Noncontact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) at room temperature.
• Variable temperature annealing studies.

Main Results:

• Formation of a supramolecular layer of organic molecules.
• Induction of a hexagonal reconstruction on the Au(111) surface by the adsorbed molecules.
• Preservation of the hexagonal Au(111) reconstruction after molecule desorption at high temperatures.

Conclusions:

• Large organic molecules can induce a stable hexagonal reconstruction on Au(111).
• The induced hexagonal reconstruction creates a periodic array of anchoring sites.
• This provides a new platform for controlled molecular or nanoparticle assembly on surfaces.