Desorption of Benzene, 1,3,5-Trifluorobenzene, and Hexafluorobenzene from a Graphene Surface: The Effect of Lateral Interactions on the Desorption Kinetics

The desorption of benzene, 1,3,5-trifluorobenzene (TFB), and hexafluorobenzene (HFB) from a graphene covered Pt(111) substrate was investigated using temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). All three species have well-resolved monolayer and second-layer desorption peaks. The desorption spectra for submonolayer coverages of benzene and HFB are consistent with first-order desorption kinetics. In contrast, the submonolayer TPD spectra for TFB align on a common leading-edge, which is indicative of zero-order desorption kinetics. The desorption behavior of the three molecules can be correlated with the strength of the quadrupole moments. Calculations (second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation and density functional theory) show that the potential minimum for coplanar TFB dimers is more than a factor of 2 greater than that for either benzene or HFB dimers. The calculations support the interpretation that benzene and HFB are less likely to form the two-dimensional islands that are needed for submonolayer zero-order desorption kinetics.