Coverage dependence of the structure of tetracene on Ag(110)

The ordered adsorption structures of tetracene on Ag(110) have been studied by low energy electron diffraction (LEED), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. At a low coverage, as calibrated with LEED, both p(4 x 4) and c(8 x 4) ordered structures are simultaneously formed on an Ag(110) surface at room temperature. STM images suggest the molecular plane is parallel to the Ag surface with its long molecular axis aligned along the [001] azimuth. DFT optimization reveals a separation of 0.3 nm between the molecular plane and substrate surface while the center of the tetracene molecule is on the long bridge site. Increasing coverage slightly, a structure is formed while the adsorbed molecules maintain the flat-lying geometry with adjacent molecules alternating their height relative to the surface.