The geometric and electronic structure of TCNQ and TCNQ+Mn on Ag(001) and Cu(001) surfaces

Abstract Copper and silver surfaces can be used as model systems to study structure formation and interfacial bonding upon adsorption of organic molecules. We have investigated the geometric and electronic structure of ordered monolayers of TCNQ on Cu(0 0 1) and Ag(0 0 1) and of TCNQ+Mn on Ag(0 0 1) surfaces by LEED and photoelectron momentum microscopy. While TCNQ forms an incommensurable superstructure on Cu(0 0 1), two coverage-dependant, commensurable superstructures are established on Ag(0 0 1). Subsequent adsorption of Mn on top of TCNQ/Ag(0 0 1) results in the formation of a long-range ordered mixed metal–organic superstructure, which is also commensurable with the Ag(0 0 1) substrate. The photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) data shows a filling of the TCNQ LUMO by charge transfer from the substrate for all investigated interfaces and the coadsorption of Mn leads to an energy shift of the TCNQ HOMO and LUMO of 230 meV with respect to TCNQ/Ag(0 0 1). The characteristic angle-dependent intensity pattern of the TCNQ LUMO in PES was utilized to investigate the azimuthal orientation of the molecules in the respective unit cells. The angle-resolved PES data was further analyzed to identify lateral band dispersion effects in the adsorbate layers, but no significant dispersion was observed.