Transition from three-dimensional to two-dimensional faceting of Ag(110) induced by Cu-phthalocyanine

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Abstract
At submonolayer coverages Cu-phthalocyanine (CuPc) induces faceting of misoriented Ag(110) into three coexisting orientational phases. CuPc-decorated kinks precipitate into an azimuthally rotated facet, while the interaction of CuPc with the remaining kink-depleted steps causes step bunching in a polar transition. Local deviations from the CuPc-induced equilibrium surface morphology are caused by kinetic constraints attributed to the dominating interaction with kinks. At monolayer coverage a rigid molecular superstructure prevents large scale mass transport and allows only for microfaceting.