title: An STM study of molecular exchange processes in organic thin film growth.
abstract: The growth of a fullerene derivative (PCBM) on top of a layer of a tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivative previously deposited on Au(111) has been studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The results show that the preferential interaction with the gold substrate induces the exchange of PCBM molecules with the exTTF monolayer, expelling exTTF molecules to the outer surface. This exchange process is forbidden when the thickness of the exTTF layer increases above the monolayer, and the larger surface energy of PCBM leads to the growth of 3D islands.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados en Nanociencia (IMDEA-Nanociencia), E-28049 Madrid, Spain. josemaria.gallego@imdea.org.
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gallego
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ecija
authors.forename: Nazario
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Martín
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Otero
authors.forename: Rodolfo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Miranda