Scanning tunneling microscopy studies on <i>n</i>-alkane molecules adsorbed on graphite

Abstract

The adsorption of n-alkanes on graphite has been studied by scanning tunneling microscopy. These molecules can form very well ordered layers on the graphite surface. The results suggest that a transition from an ordered to a disordered state of the molecules occurs as a function of temperature. A model for the structure of the adsorbed layer and a possible explanation for the temperature effects are given.