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.