Adsorption behavior of conjugated {C}3-oligomers on Si(100) and HOPG surfaces

TL;DR

This study investigates how a specific conjugated C3-oligomer interacts with silicon and graphite surfaces, revealing different adsorption behaviors and potential applications in surface characterization and film formation.

Contribution

It introduces a synthesized conjugated C3-oligomer and compares its adsorption behavior on Si(100) and HOPG surfaces, highlighting surface-specific interactions.

Findings

Isolated molecules observed on Si(100) via STM

Ordered film formation on HOPG with alkylated oligomers

Different interaction mechanisms on silicon and graphite surfaces

Abstract

A pi-conjugated {C}3h-oligomer involving three dithienylethylene branches bridged at the meta positions of a central benzenic core has been synthesized and deposited either on the Si(100) surface or on the HOPG surface. On the silicon surface, scanning tunneling microscopy allows the observation of isolated molecules. Conversely, by substituting the thiophene rings of the oligomers with alkyl chains, a spontaneous ordered film is observed on the HOPG surface. As the interaction of the oligomers is different with both surfaces, the utility of the Si(100) surface to characterize individual oligomers prior to their use into a 2D layer is discussed.