Anchoring phthalocyanine molecules on the 6H-SiC(0001)3x3 surface

The adsorption of individual metal-free phthalocyanine molecules on the 6H-SiC(0001)3x3 surface was studied using the scanning tunneling microscope supported by density functional theory calculations. Phthalocyanine molecules were found to be chemisorbed through a reaction of two conjugated imide groups with two silicon adatoms. This type of anchoring opens numerous perspectives for the organic functionalization of a biocompatible wide band gap semiconductor. (C) 2007 American Institute of Physics.