Weak screening of a large dipolar molecule adsorbed on graphene Original Research Article

We compare the electronic structure of a quinonoid zwitterionic type molecule adsorbed on both gold and graphene on copper substrates. This (6Z)-4-(butylamino)-6-(butyliminio)-3-oxocyclohexa-1,4-dien-1-olate, C6H2(imageNHR)2(imageO)2 where R = n-C4H9, film is made of small molecules with a large intrinsic dipole of 10 Debyes. We find that the photoemission and inverse photoemission final states are well screened for these dipolar molecules on gold. This is not observed when they are adsorbed on graphene on copper. This weaker screening results in a larger highest occupied molecular orbital to lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gap for the molecules on graphene.