Received: October 6, 2007

In Final Form: November 6, 2007

Abstract:

Nanoparticles and nanoflowers of different metal(II) phthalocyanines (MPc; copper, nickel, tin, magnesium, and zinc) as well as metal-free (H₂Pc) have been grown, at room temperature, by vapor deposition at high vacuum (~10^-6 Torr). This article describes the role of the effect of substrate condition in molecular organization of phthalocyanine on gold coated quartz substrates. The particle size and morphology of the nanostructures were found to be mainly determined/controlled by the nature of the template (substrate) used. The formation of different nanostructures is discussed. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) observations of the ordered crystalline films indicated that domains are grown from the bottom to the top of the film and are densely packed with little grain boundary. UV-vis absorption spectra of the ordered films were recorded, showing unique dependences on the molecular alignments. The fractal dimension of the assembly of nanostructures in the films has been estimated from FESEM images. The effects of substrates on the surface morphology, optical properties, and fractal dimension have been discussed. Results of rectifying behavior of phthalocyanine nanorod/gold heterojunction have been presented.

Download the full text: PDF | HTML