Solvent-controlled 2D host-guest (2,7,12-trihexyloxytruxene/coronene) molecular nanostructures at organic liquid/solid interface investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy.

The two-dimensional (2D) self-assembled networks of 2,7,12-trihexyloxytruxene (Tr) are shown to accommodate coronene guest molecules on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surfaces. The host-guest structures are revealed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) at liquid/solid interfaces. The effect of solvents on the host-guest structures is intensively investigated in different solvents such as 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (TCB), 1-phenyloctane, 1-octanol, and tetradecane. In contrast to the similar 2D hexagonal self-assembly of Tr host template on HOPG in different solvents, the formation of host-guest nanostructures of coronene in Tr 2D network strongly depend on the polarity of the solvents. The thermodynamic equilibrium during the host-guest assembly process is discussed, and the solvent-guest interaction is proposed as a main contributor for the observed solvent effect in the 2D host-guest self-assembly process. The results are significant to surface host-guest chemistry and nanopatterning.