An ordered organic radical adsorbed on a Cu-doped Au(111) surface.

The tri-para-carboxylic polychlorotriphenylmethyl radical adsorption on a Cu/Au(111) surface has been investigated in ultra-high vacuum environment. The presence of copper favours the formation of metal-organic assemblies, which are analysed using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). DFT methods indicate that the unpaired electron survives after adsorption, thus creating systems which could be regarded as potential candidates for spintronics applications.