Construction of Sierpiński Triangles up to the Fifth Order

J Am Chem Soc. 2017 Oct 4;139(39):13749-13753. doi: 10.1021/jacs.7b05720. Epub 2017 Sep 18.

Abstract

Self-similar fractal structures are of fundamental importance in science, mathematics, and aesthetics. A series of molecular defect-free Sierpiński triangle fractals have been constructed on surfaces recently. However, the highest order of the fractals is only 4 because of the limitation of kinetic growth. Here complete fifth-order Sierpiński triangles with a lateral length of 0.05 μm were successfully prepared in ultrahigh vacuum by a combination of templating and coassembly methods. Fe atoms, 4,4″-dicyano-1,1':3',1″-terphenyl, and 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)benzene molecules were used to build fractals on the reconstructed Au(100)-(hex) surface. The new strategy may be applied to construct various Sierpiński triangles of higher orders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't