Direct evidence for surface reconstruction on organic solid surfaces: benzil (0001)

Abstract

A molecular modelling study of the (0001) surface of benzil reveals evidence for surface reconstruction associated with a change in molecular conformation effected via a relaxation of π–π intermolecular interactions which are strong in the solid-state but absent on the exposed surface. This is confirmed by an examination of a single crystal sample using ultra-soft polarised X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the C K-edge.