Phase transition and chirality switching of dibenzopentacene on Pb(111) surface driven by Coulomb expansion

M Meng-Han Wang (School of Physical Science and Technology, Southwest University 1 , Chongqing 400715,) M Mei-Chun Zhang (School of Physical Science and Technology, Southwest University , Chongqing 400715,) Y Ya-Xuan Zhuo (School of Physical Science and Technology, Southwest University 1 , Chongqing 400715,) Y Yan Luo (Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Porous Materials for Separation and Conversion, Fudan University, 220 Handan, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China) Z Zuo Li J Jun-Zhong Wang (School of Physical Science and Technology, Southwest University , Chongqing 400715,) K Kai Sun J Ji-Yong Yang (School of Physical Science and Technology, Southwest University , Chongqing 400715,) M Min-Long Tao (School of Physical Science and Technology, Southwest University , Chongqing 400715,)

Abstract

The dibenzopentacene (DBPen) molecules on the Pb(111) substrate have been investigated using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy. Under the influence of an electric field, DBPen molecules undergo the phase transitions between the 2D mobile phase and the close-packed phase, as well as point and organizational chirality switching. First-principles calculations demonstrate that the electric field significantly modulates the charge transfer from the substrate to the molecules and induces the Coulomb expansion of the molecular lattice, resulting in phase transitions and chirality switching. Our results contribute to understanding the phase control and chirality manipulation of self-assembled molecular structures on solid surfaces.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 164, Issue 1
Published January 07, 2026
ISSN 0021-9606
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

The Journal of Chemical Physics

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0021-9606 Physical Sciences

Authors (9)

M

Meng-Han Wang

School of Physical Science and Technology, Southwest University 1 , Chongqing 400715,

M

Mei-Chun Zhang

School of Physical Science and Technology, Southwest University , Chongqing 400715,

Y

Ya-Xuan Zhuo

School of Physical Science and Technology, Southwest University 1 , Chongqing 400715,

Y

Yan Luo

Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Porous Materials for Separation and Conversion, Fudan University, 220 Handan, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China

Z

Zuo Li

J

Jun-Zhong Wang

School of Physical Science and Technology, Southwest University , Chongqing 400715,

K

Kai Sun

J

Ji-Yong Yang

School of Physical Science and Technology, Southwest University , Chongqing 400715,

M

Min-Long Tao

School of Physical Science and Technology, Southwest University , Chongqing 400715,