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Physical Adsorption Of Linear Hydrocarbon Quadrupoles On Graphite And Mgo (100): Effects Of The Compatibility Of Surface And Molecular Symmetries, Andrew J. Pedersen

Doctoral Dissertations

The process of physical adsorption finds a practical role in wide-ranging fields from catalysis, to lubrication, and even optoelectronics. Furthermore, it provides a mechanism to probe the fundamental understanding of intermolecular forces and how symmetries can play a role in the behavior of a system. Linear quadrupoles preferentially adopt square-T configurations when confined in two dimensions. This would lead the system to adopt a four-fold symmetry in the molecular lattice.

Two archetypal surfaces often studied in physisorption research are MgO (100), which has a four-fold symmetry of alternating charges, and the basal plane of graphite, which has a six-fold symmetry …