Mechanisms of PTCDI-C-8 adsorption and thin films growth on Si(1 1 0)-(16 x 2) have been studied using a combination of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy, and density functional theory. Oxygen atoms of the PTCDI-C-8 molecule interact with the substrate increasing substantially the adsorption energy. Adsorbed molecules do not form long-range ordered structures on the surface but local chain-like arrangements. A good agreement between the calculated isosurfaces of electronic charge density and the scanning tunneling microscopy images of the filled electron states of clean and adsorbate-covered surfaces allows to recognize the PTCDI-C-8 molecules adsorbed on Si(1 1 0)-(16 x 2). (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.