Structure and morphology of perylene films grown on different substrates

In this study the structural and morphological properties of perylene films deposited on different substrates have been investigated. The film properties have been studied by employing a range of techniques including atomic force microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and drop shape analysis for the determination of the surface free energy. For films deposited on top of Al2O3, the perylene molecules have a fiber texture ordering perpendicular to the substrate, while for films deposited on top of a Au(111) layer, only for thicker films above 400 nm were diffraction peaks observed. The different growths of perylene on top of these substrates are attributed to the different strengths of the molecule-substrate interaction. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.