Coverage-driven dissociation of azobenzene on Cu(111): a route towards defined surface functionalization.
We investigate the surface-catalyzed dissociation of the archetypal molecular switch azobenzene on the Cu(111) surface. Based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, normal incidence X-ray standing waves and density functional theory calculations a detailed picture of the coverage-induced formation of phenyl nitrene from azobenzene is presented. Furthermore, a comparison to the azobenzene/Ag(111) interface provides insight into the driving force behind the dissociation on Cu(111). The quantitative decay of azobenzene paves the way for the creation of a defect free, covalently bonded monolayer. Our work suggests a route of surface functionalization via suitable azobenzene derivatives and the on surface synthesis concept, allowing for the creation of complex immobilized molecular systems.
Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany. s.subach@fz-juelich.de.
Martin
M
Willenbockel
Reinhard J
RJ
Maurer
Christopher
C
Bronner
Michael
M
Schulze
Benjamin
B
Stadtmüller
Serguei
S
Soubatch
Petra
P
Tegeder
Karsten
K
Reuter
F
F
Stefan Tautz
D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D007097:Imines / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D056951:Photoelectron Spectroscopy; D011789:Quantum Theory; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D014965:X-Rays
D001391:Azo Compounds; D007097:Imines; C017621:phenylnitrene; D012834:Silver; D003300:Copper; C009850:azobenzene