Construction of Sierpiński triangles with the coexistence of C60 or MnPc molecules

Abstract

Sierpiński triangles up to the fourth order were successfully prepared using 4,4′′-dicyano-1,1′:3′,1′′-terphenyl molecules and Fe or Co atoms with the coexistence of the third molecules (C₆₀ or MnPc) on a reconstructed Au(111) substrate. Sierpiński triangles could be disturbed and restored by C₆₀ molecules after annealing at 400 and 360 K, respectively. The dispersed MnPc molecules did not affect the formation of Sierpiński triangles when annealed at high temperatures. The selective adsorption of MnPc molecules at certain holes of Sierpiński triangles was observed.