Nanoscale pits as templates for building a molecular device

The use of monolayer-deep rectangular nanopits for templating the growth of gold and 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic anhydride (PTCDA) molecular devices on a KBr surface was analyzed. The structure-function relationship in a molecular device was studied by measuring and position and orientation of the molecules by Noncontact Atomic Force Microscopy (NC-AFM). The deposition of molecules and metals resulted in diffusion of the metal under the molecular film of PTCDA. The high-resolution measurements show that the protrusions are made up of C60 molecules that are taller than the surrounding molecules in a molecular device. The gold that impinges on the C60 islands diffuse through the lattice through interstices and form flat islands underneath the C60 layers. The results also show that the nucleation of molecules around metal structures is useful for positioning molecules around electrodes and for obtaining a strong electrical coupling with electrodes.