Self-assembly of perylenediimide and naphthalenediimide nanostructures on glass substrates through deposition from the gas phase

Micrometer-long nanobelt and nanowires from deposition of perylenediimide (PTCDI) and naphthalenediimide (NPDI) in glass substrates from the gas phase were demonstrated. The electron diffraction pattern of PTCDI shows that the PTCDI molecules are oriented with their long axis perpendicular to the belt and the pi-pi stacking direction parallel to the belt. No crystal structure of the NPDI nanowires was observed. This is a new strategy to assemble organic molecules to nanostructures, typically for those having very low solubility in solvents. The approach would completely eliminate the effect of side chains.