Adsorption of TCNQH-functionalized quinonoid zwitterions on gold and graphene: evidence for dominant intermolecular interactions+

Authors

Lingmei Kong, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lucie Routaboul, Universite´ de Strasbourg
Pierre Braunstein, Universite´ de Strasbourg
Hong-Gi Park, Kyung Hee University
Jaewu Choi, Kyung Hee UniversityFollow
John P. Colon Cordova, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Puerto Rico-Humacao
E Vega, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Puerto Rico-Humacao
Luis G. Rosa, University of Puerto Rico-HumacaoFollow
Bernard Doudin, Universite´de StrasbourgFollow
Peter A. Dowben, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2013

Citation

RSC Advances, 2013

Comments

Copyright 2013 Used by permission

Abstract

We experimentally investigate the electronic structure of the strongly dipolar, quinonoid-type molecule obtained by TCNQH-functionalization (TCNQH = (NC)₂CC₆H₄CH(CN)₂) of (6Z)-4-(butylamino)-6-(butyliminio)- 3-oxocyclohexa-1,4-dien-1-olate C₆H₂(...NHR)₂(...O)₂ (where R = n-C₄H₉) to be very similar after deposition from solution on either graphene or gold substrates. These zwitterion adsorbate thin films form structures that are distinct from those formed by related quinonoid molecules previously studied. We argue that adsorbate–adsorbate interactions dominate and lead to a Stranski–Krastanov ‘island growth’ mechanism.