Adlayer structure of TCNQ molecules on Cu(111): Anin situ STM study

In situ electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) was employed to examine tetracyano- quinodimethane (TCNQ) layer adsorbed on Cu(111) electrode surface in 0.1 mol/L HClO₄ solution. The TCNQ molecules are found to form highly-ordered long range adlayer with a (4×4) symmetry. Each TCNQ molecule is adsorbed on Cu(111) surface in flat-lying orientation. The molecules are preferentially aligned with their long axes in the [121] direction. A structural model is proposed for the adlayer.