Self-assembly of aromatic molecules over zeolite (0 1 0) surfaces: An AFM and semiempirical study

Self-assembly of pyridine base molecules, pyridine and beta-picoline, were observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) on (010) surfaces of natural zeol ites, heulandite and stilbite, respectively. The molecular array structures of the self-assembled adlayers were determined from the AFM images, and th ey showed well-ordered, two-dimensional (quasi-) hexagonal lattice structur es. Orientations of the molecules within the 2D adlayers were also estimate d from the AFM images, and their energetics were calculated by means of a s emiempirical molecular orbital method. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Limited. A ll rights reserved.