Adsorption properties of azobenzene, the prototypical molecular switch, were investigated on a hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) monolayer (“nanomesh”) prepared on Rh(111). The h-BN layer was produced by decomposing borazine (B 3 N 3 H 6 ) at 1000–1050 K. Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) studies revealed that azobenzene molecules adsorbed on the “wire” and “pore” regions desorb at slightly different temperatures. Angle-resolved high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) measurements demonstrated that the first molecular layer is characterized predominantly by an adsorption geometry with the molecular plane parallel to the surface. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) indicated a clear preference for adsorption in the pores, manifesting a templating effect, but in some cases one-dimensional molecular stripes also form, implying attractive molecule–molecule interaction. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations provided further details regarding the adsorption energetics and bonding and confirmed the experimental findings that the molecules adsorb with the phenyl rings parallel to the surface, preferentially in the pores, and indicated also the presence of an attractive molecule–molecule interaction.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.