Effects of the superlattices on STM imaging of self-organized substituted alkyl chain monolayers on a graphite surface

We characterized the physisorption of p-iodo-phenyl octadecyl ether molecules (I-POE) onto superlattice regions of graphite surfaces using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The formation of self-organized IPOE monolayers does not affect the overall structures of moiré patterns and their modulation periods. However, the packing density of the I-POE monolayer and the orientations of lamella structures were sensitive to the underlying superlattice structure. Depending on the bias voltage, the STM images selectively showed moiré pattern, I-POE layer, or both. Reflecting the local density of states at a certain energy level, the STM images thereby revealed the relative energy level scale of the superlattice with respect to the molecular orbitals of I-POE.