Molecular Design for the Formation of Two-dimensional Molecular Networks: STM Study of ${\gamma}$-phenylalanine on Au(111)

The self-assembly of ${\gamma}$-phenylalanine on Au(111) at 150 K was investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Phenylalanine can potentially form two-dimensional (2D) molecular networks through hydrogen bonding (through the carboxyl and amino groups) and ${\pi}-{\pi}$ stacking interactions (via aromatic rings). We found that ${\gamma}$-phenylalanine molecules self-assembled on Au(111) surfaces into well-ordered structures such as ring-shaped clusters (at low and intermediate coverages) and 2D molecular domains (intermediate and monolayer coverages), whereas ${\alpha}$-phenylalanine molecules formed less-ordered structure on Au(111). The self-assembly of ${\gamma}$- but not ${\alpha}$-phenylalanine may be related to the flexibility of the carboxyl and amino groups in the molecule. Moreover, as expected, the 2D molecular network of ${\gamma}$-phenylalanine on Au(111) was mediated by a combination of hydrogen bonding and ${\pi}-{\pi}$ stacking interactions.