Creating a functionalized surface: The adsorption of terephthalic acid onto Cu(110)

We investigate the adsorption of terephthalic acid onto the Cu(110) surface using a variety of surface-sensitive techniques including optical-based probes. The nature of the adsorbate-Cu surface bonding, the adsorbate orientation, and the two-dimensional order are determined. The molecule adsorbs as a monoterephthalate species, bonding via the carboxylate group, to form a saturated layer of upright molecules that are terminated by acid groups-a functionalized surface. These acid groups are available for chemical interactions with additional adsorbates. Further deposition of the acid onto the first layer results in multilayer growth consisting of broadly flat-lying, hydrogen-bonded molecules.