The interface between small organic molecules and solid surfaces impacts structure, bonding, and charge transfer that will determine electronic and chemical functionality of the resulting organic film. We envision the development of self-assembled organic layers with a crystalline structure to enhance the performance and stability of organic technologies. The study of two-dimensional crystallization of organic materials at surfaces provides insight into self-assembly by high-resolution microscopy, which will be applied to the design of novel nanostructured materials. We have studied the interactions that drive self-assembly and enable highly-ordered and thermally robust surface architectures on model metal and graphite surfaces. We use a combination of surface analysis techniques in ultra-high vacuum (UHV), including atomic-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). We also study self-assembly at the liquid-solid interface, where a dynamic equilibrium between surface adsorbates and solvated species allows for environmental response of surface architectures. This presentation will report recent results in the development of highly-ordered and robust organic architectures and the insights that these lend to self-assembly of organic nanostructured layers. Control of structure through programmed functional groups on the molecular building blocks, intralayer bonding, interlayer bonding, and surface templating will be described. These studies have allowed us to achieve crystalline molecular ordering beyond the first layer of growth in single component and multi-component (layered) systems. Studies are ongoing to lead us toward crystalline organic films with programmed functionality as well as to explore catalysis on similar systems.

Self-assembly, interactions, and dynamics in 2D crystalline organic layers at surfaces

246th National Meeting (2013)

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