Self-assembly of gold nanoparticles on functional organic molecular crystals

► NP depositions were carried out on two isostructural tetrafluoroacridine crystals. ► Gold nanoparticles adsorb on organic crystal surface, thanks to S-Au interaction. ► The substrate coverage, determined by AFM measurements, reaches value up to 13%. ► NPs distribute on the surface uniformly, and aggregates appear increasing deposition time. ► Deposition and imaging have been done simultaneously by AFM equipped with fluid cell.