Synthesis and nanorod growth of n-type phthalocyanine on ultrathin metal films by chemical vapor deposition

Abstract The thermal behavior of 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene (TCNB), the synthesis of metal-2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octacyanophthalocyanine–metal [MPc(CN) 8 –M] (M = Cu, Fe, Ni) complexes by the tetramerization of TCNB, and the growth of MPc(CN) 8 –M nanorods were investigated. By chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in vacuum, MPc(CN) 8 molecules were synthesized and MPc(CN) 8 –M nanorods were formed on all substrates. Among them, CuPc(CN) 8 molecules were synthesized in high yield, and CuPc(CN) 8 –Cu nanorods were deposited uniformly and in high density, with diameters and lengths of 70–110 and 200–700 nm, respectively. The differences in the growth of MPc(CN) 8 –M nanorods were mainly attributed to the stability of the MPc(CN) 8 –M complex, the oxidation of ultrathin metal films, and the diffusion of metal atoms. Additionally, the tetramerization of TCNB by CVD at atmospheric pressure was performed on ultrathin Cu films, and the synthesis of CuPc(CN) 8 molecules was observed by in situ UV–vis spectroscopy. CVD under atmospheric pressure is also useful for the synthesis of CuPc(CN) 8 molecules.