Diffusion versus sticking anisotropy: Anisotropic growth of organic molecular films

The molecular/crystal orientation and morphology of active molecular structures is a key determinant for the function of nanoscaled organic devices, yet little is known regarding the processes that govern thin film growth. Here, we show that either sticking or diffusion anisotropy can control the growth depending on preparation conditions. This is illustrated by an investigation into the growth of sexiphenyl (6P) on the anisotropic TiO₂(1 1 0)-(1 × 1) single crystal surface. The great differences in crystallite orientation and morphology observed are explained by the domination of the growth kinetics by either sticking or diffusion anisotropy depending on growth temperature.