Patterning of vinylferrocene on H-Si(100) via self-directed growth of molecular lines and STM-induced decomposition

Vinylferrocene was used to grow ordered molecular lines on the H-SI(100) surface via a self-directed growth-process. High-resolution STM images reveal a zigzag structure within the lines that results from the relief of steric crowding of the molecules. Scanning with more than -4.0 V of sample bias reproducibly destroys the molecules, leaving smaller decomposition products in their place. The energetics of both adsorption and decomposition of the molecules were examined via DFT calculations. We propose to utilize these metal-containing lines as prepatterned catalysts for processes such as carbon nanotube growth.