LT-STM studies on substrate-dependent self-assembly of small organic molecules

Abstract

Low temperature scanning tunnelling microscopy is widely used to image and manipulate individual atoms and molecules on surfaces, as well as to investigate surface molecular processes such as diffusion, desorption, and configuration switching, at the atomic scale. The aim of this contribution is to highlight our recent progress in understanding the interface between small organic molecules and different substrates, focusing on two model systems: copper hexadecafluorophthalocyanine (F16CuPc) on HOPG, Ag(1 1 1), Bi/Ag(1 1 1), and copper(II) phthalocyanine (CuPc) on perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic-3, 4,9,10-dianhydride (PTCDA) and C60 pre-covered surfaces. The influence of the underlying substrates on the molecular packing is discussed. © 2011 IOP Publishing Ltd.