In Situ STM Studies of Molecular Self-Assembly on Surfaces

Molecular self-assembly on surfaces via weak but selective noncovalent interactions offers a promising bottom-up approach to fabricating molecular nanostructure arrays with desired functionalities over macroscopic areas. In this chapter, we highlight recent progress in the fabrication of self-assembled molecular nanostructures on surfaces and surface nanotemplates, as investigated by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy. We describe the formation of various C₆₀ nanostructure arrays on molecular surface nanotemplates of monolayer and bilayer α-sexithiophene nanostripes on Ag(111) and graphite, p-sexiphenyl nanostripes and pentacene networks on Ag(111), as well as the formation of two-dimensional supramolecular chiral networks of a binary molecular system involving pentacene and 3,4,9,10-perylene-tetracarboxylic-dianhydride on Ag(111). These novel organic nanojunction arrays have promising applications for future molecular-electronic or organic solar cell devices.