DFT Atomistic Thermodynamics Applied To Elucidate the Driving Force behind Glutamic Acid Self-Assemblies on Silver (100) Surface

What is the driving force behind the self-assembly of molecules on a surface? Why can different organizations of an assembly coexist under the same conditions? The coexistence of two experimentally observed complex phases of glutamic acid on Ag(100) is discussed using a detailed atomistic thermodynamics approach based on periodic DFT electronic energies. The interplay between bond formation and loss of degrees of freedom, corresponding to the enthalpy-entropy balance, is used to explain in detail and quantitatively the subtle equilibrium between the two differently organized self-assemblies.