Structural transformation of the binary network in response to selective guest inclusion at liquid/solid interfaces

Abstract Two-dimensional flexible binary networks of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (TMA) with terephthalic acid (TPA) molecules at the liquid-solid interface were constructed. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) demonstrate that the self-assembled TMA/TPA networks remain unchanged with the introduction of the AgNO 3 guest molecule, while the flexible binary networks have been collapsed and subsequent layer reconstructed after introduction of other two guest molecules, coronene(COR), tribromobenzene molecules. It is found that for the nitrite containing full orbital metal AgNO 3 , four AgNO 3 molecules are directly embedded each pores within the networks. In contrast, for COR and tribromobenzene molecules, the binary TMA/TPA networks collapse and the same time, new host-guest structures are formed due to the cooperative effect of hydrogen and halogen bonds.