Controlled reorientation of CuPc molecules in ordered structures assembled on the TiO(2)(011)-(2x1) surface

Molecular reorientation: Copper (II) phthalocyanines are investigated on the rutile TiO2(011)-(2×1) surface. At first, a quasi-ordered wetting monolayer is formed, after which well-ordered islands composed of flat-lying molecules appear (picture, left). Post-deposition thermal annealing at 200 °C leads to a complete reorientation of the second layer so that the molecules adopt an upright configuration (picture, right).