Toward step-by-step nuclear growth of surface two-dimensional porphyrin nanonetworks

• Molecular-based nanoarrays are assembled on solid surfaces via coordinative bonding.
• Nanoarrays are grown in a step-by-step manner.
• The solubility of the molecular units is an important parameter to tune array size.
• The domain growth is influenced by the molecule–substrate interaction.

We report the development of a solution-based step-by-step technique, which utilizes the coordination bond between metalloporphyrin molecular units and metal linkages and results in the nuclear growth of nano-networks on solid substrates. The growth of the surface structures is strongly influenced by the choice of substrate materials and solvents: the molecule–substrate interaction and the solubility of the molecular units are important parameters in tuning the size and growth of the domains.

Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (156 K)Download as PowerPoint slide