Nanoflatcables (NFCs) are an array of all-trans π-conjugated chains periodically bridged with and maintained at regular intervals by alkyl chains. The prototype NFC containing alternately arranged polydiacetylenes and polyacetylenes is constructed by the photopolymerization of alkatetrayne molecules physisorbed and laid flat on graphite. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectra (UPS) and metastable atom electron spectra (MAES) before and after polymerization are compared with the first-principles calculations to reveal transformation in the electronic structure caused by the drastic recombination of covalent bonds in the extrathin (0.4 nm) films. Unlike related films so far reported, minute features corresponding well to the calculated density of states are observed in the UPS owing to regularity in monomer arrangement and NFC periodicity, and the top of the HOMO (polyacetylene π) band and that of the HOMO − 1 (polydiacetylene π) band are detected distinctly for NFC, giving a threshold ionization potential of 3.6 eV. Changes in the MAES are explained by orbital consanguinity, large dispersions for specific bands, V-shape valley effect for indiscernible NFC π orbitals, and orbital interaction/mixing between the same and different type(s) of chains detectable in the deflated or inflated distributions of pseudo-π orbitals. These findings enable us to make detailed band assignments in the whole C 2p-derived valence region.
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.