Exploring the characteristic “plug-in” configuration of an adsorbed starburst molecule

In this study, the adsorption of starburst molecules (C₅₇H₄₈N₄, SBM) deposited on Au(111) was investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). SBM molecules selectively adsorb on the face-centered-cubic regions of Au(111) in quasi one-dimensional chains. Compared with the SBM structure on hBN/Rh(111), the assembly structure of SBM on Au(111) can be clearly confirmed to be molecular chains in the “plug-in” configuration. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) revealed that the interaction between SBM molecules and Au(111) induces the modification of the molecular electronic states. The STS mapping further revealed a continuous 1D electronic state concentrated at the center of the SBM molecular chains.