Substrate-Mediated Intermolecular Hybridization in Binary Phthalocyanine Superstructures

Abstract

Using a combination of calculations from first principles and scanning tunneling microscopy, we have investigated the interplay between substrate-mediated and intermolecular interactions in the formation of high-density checkerboard binary superstructures from the codeposition of phenyl and perfluorophenyl Zn-phthalocyanines (ZnPc−F 16 ZnPc) on the Ag(111) surface. The analysis of the electronic structure of the interface shows the essential role played by the substrate in the formation of the molecular layer and opens the way toward the development of tailored surfaces for advanced supramolecular design.