Fig. 4: Helicity in polymer intermediates. | Communications Chemistry

Fig. 4: Helicity in polymer intermediates.

From: Deposition temperature-mediated growth of helically shaped polymers and chevron-type graphene nanoribbons from a fluorinated precursor

Fig. 4: Helicity in polymer intermediates.

a STM image of fluorinated chevron polymers acquired at −0.3 V, 55 pA. b Height profile under the two white lines in a, demonstrating the characteristic asymmetric appearance of the phenyl fringes on two sides along a representative polymer chain. The top trace exhibits a left peak lower in intensity than the right, while the bottom trace exhibits a left peak higher than the right. This is in good agreement with polymers with P-type helicity, shown in optimized geometry in c, where the polymer is given in a perspective view without Au substrate for clarity. d is a simulated p-type polymer along which traces e have been drawn as in a, revealing the same intrinsic peak shape observed in the experimental height profiles in b. Yellow lines have been added as a guide to the eye for the location within each subunit that exhibits the greatest apparent height. The scale bar in the bottom-right of d is 4 nm to coincide with a.

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