Self-assembly of one-dimensional molecular and atomic chains using striped alkanethiol structures as templates

Well-ordered striped structures are developed from alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers on an Au(111) surface following well-controlled annealing processes. We demonstrate here that such regular concave–convex molecular structures can be used as the templates for growing one-dimensional molecular and atomic chains. By depositing C60 molecules onto the striped surface, C60 bimolecular chains are self-assembled. Due to the breaking of C–S bonds under certain conditions, residual S atoms can form a S monoatomic chain between two adjacent stripe pairs of thoroughly lying-down molecules. Possible growth mechanisms are discussed.