title: Functionalized truxenes: adsorption and diffusion of single molecules on the KBr(001) surface.
abstract: In this work, we have studied the adsorption and diffusion of large functionalized organic molecules on an insulating ionic surface at room temperature using a noncontact atomic force microscope (NC-AFM) and theoretical modeling. Custom designed syn-5,10,15-tris(4-cyanophenylmethyl)truxene molecules are adsorbed onto the nanoscale structured KBr(001) surface at low coverages and imaged with atomic and molecular resolution with the NC-AFM. The molecules are observed rapidly diffusing along the perfect monolayer step edges and immobilized at monolayer kink sites. Extensive atomistic simulations elucidate the mechanisms of adsorption and diffusion of the molecule on the different surface features. The results of this study suggest methods of controlling the diffusion of adsorbates on insulating and nanostructured surfaces.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 82, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Bartosz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Such
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Trevethan
authors.forename: Thilo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Glatzel
authors.forename: Shigeki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kawai
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zimmerli
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Alexander L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Shluger
authors.forename: Catelijne H M
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Amijs
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de Mendoza
authors.forename: Antonio M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Echavarren
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D004058:Diffusion; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds