Mediated Coadsorption at the Liquid−Solid Interface: Stabilization through Hydrogen Bonds

Stable adsorption of 1,3,5-tris(4-pyridyl)-2,4,6-triazine (TPT) molecules from the liquid phase was only observed in binary solutions, that is, in the presence of a second (adsorptive) species. The process of mediated coadsorption of a molecular species at the liquid−solid interface was accomplished through complexation of TPT with a second type of molecule acting as a “molecular glue” via hydrogen bonds. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) was utilized to investigate the structure of the coadsorbed monolayers at the liquid−solid interface. Trimesic acid (TMA) and terephthalic acid (TPA)both benzene rings with disposed carboxylic acid groupswere appropriate to precipitate the stable adsorption of TPT. According to the different symmetry and number of carboxylic acid groups, various networks were observed.