title: Role of substrate in directing the self-assembly of multicomponent supramolecular networks at the liquid-solid interface.
abstract: The self-assembly of multicomponent networks at the liquid-solid interface between Au(111) or highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and organic solvents was investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy. Alkoxylated dehydrobenzo[12]annulene (DBA) derivatives form hexagonal nanoporous networks, which trap either single molecules of coronene (COR) or small clusters of COR and isophthalic acid to form multicomponent networks. The pattern of interdigitation between alkyl chains from DBA molecules produces hexagonal pores that are either chiral or achiral. On Au(111) substrates multicomponent networks display an ordered superlattice arrangement of chiral and achiral pores. In comparison, similar networks on HOPG display only chiral pores. The unique superlattice structure observed on Au(111) is related to a lower energetic preference for chiral pores than on HOPG and increased diffusion barriers for guest molecules. The increased diffusion barriers for guests allow them to act as nucleation sites for the formation of achiral pores. Following the initial nucleation of an achiral pore, restrictions imposed by the accommodation of guests within the porous network mean that subsequent growth naturally leads to the formation of the superlattice structure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Division of Molecular Imaging and Photonics, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200 F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Tatyana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Balandina
authors.forename: Kazukuni
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tahara
authors.forename: Nadja
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sändig
authors.forename: Matthew O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Blunt
authors.forename: Jinne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adisoejoso
authors.forename: Shengbin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zerbetto
authors.forename: Yoshito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tobe
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Feyter
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D010316:Particle Size; D016062:Porosity; D011208:Powders; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry*; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011208:Powders; D012996:Solutions; D006046:Gold; D006108:Graphite