We have investigated the geometry and electronic structure of two different types of self-aligned silicon nanoribbons (SiNRs), forming either isolated SiNRs or a self-assembled 5 × 2/5 × 4 grating on an Ag(110) substrate, by scanning tunnelling microscopy and high resolution x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. At room temperature we further adsorb on these SiNRs either atomic or molecular hydrogen. The hydrogen absorption process and hydrogenation mechanism are similar for isolated or 5 × 2/5 × 4 ordered SiNRs and are not site selective; the main difference arises from the fact that the isolated SiNRs are more easily attacked and destroyed faster. In fact, atomic hydrogen strongly interacts with any Si atoms, modifying their structural and electronic properties, while molecular hydrogen has first to dissociate. Hydrogen finally etches the Si nanoribbons and their complete removal from the Ag(110) surface could eventually be expected.

We have studied zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and iron phthalocyanine (FePc) thick films and monolayers on Au(111) using photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray absorption spectroscopy. Both molecules are adsorbed flat on the surface at monolayer. ZnPc keeps this orientation in all investigated coverages, whereas FePc molecules stand up in the thick film. The stronger inter-molecular interaction of FePc molecules leads to change of orientation, as well as higher conductivity in FePc layer in comparison with ZnPc, which is reflected in thickness-dependent differences in core-level shifts. Work function changes indicate that both molecules donate charge to Au; through the π-system. However, the Fe3d derived lowest unoccupied molecular orbital receives charge from the substrate when forming an interface state at the Fermi level. Thus, the central atom plays an important role in mediating the charge, but the charge transfer as a whole is a balance between the two different charge transfer channels; π-system and the central atom.

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) studies of monolayer of metal-free phthalocyanine (H2Pc) adsorbed on Au(111) have shown ordered arrangement of the molecules on the surface. Evaporation of H2Pc onto the Au(111) surface and post annealing of the sample to 670 K results in a densely packed structure of the molecules. The monolayer is characterized by molecules adsorbed with the molecular plane parallel to the substrate surface in a square adsorption unit cell. Furthermore, the high resolution images revealed the orientation of individual molecules. The H2Pc/Au(111) system has also been doped by rubidum and compared to the undoped layers. The Rb affects the molecular adsorption geometry, and a hexagonal unit cell is found for the coadsorption of H2Pc and Rb. Upon doping, highly ordered Rb-induced protrusions are observed at the benzene site of adsorbed molecules.

International audienceThe adsorption of monolayers and multilayers of metal-free phthalocyanine molecules on the Au(111) (root 3 x 22) reconstructed surface has been investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Our results for the monolayer show that the molecules are arranged tightly onto the surface with their molecular plane parallel to it. In addition, the X-ray absorption spectra of the monolayer have been modeled by density functional theory, which could enlighten new aspect of the interaction between molecules and substrate. The XAS results evidence that also in the multilayer the molecules keep the orientation with the molecular plane parallel to the surface. These results are discussed in the framework of moleculemolecule/moleculeadsorbate interactions