Dynamics of decanethiol self-assembled monolayers on Au(111) studied by time-resolved scanning tunneling microscopy

We investigated the dynamics of decanethiol self-assembled monolayers on Au(111) surfaces using time-resolved scanning tunneling microscopy at room temperature. The expected ordered phases (β, δ, χ*, and φ) and a disordered phase (ε) were observed. Current-time traces with the feedback loop disabled...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids. - 1992. - 29(2013), 7 vom: 19. Feb., Seite 2250-7
1. Verfasser: Wu, Hairong (VerfasserIn)
Weitere Verfasser: Sotthewes, Kai, Kumar, Avijit, Vancso, G Julius, Schön, Peter M, Zandvliet, Harold J W
Format: Online-Aufsatz
Sprache:English
Veröffentlicht: 2013
Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk:Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids
Schlagworte:Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Gold 7440-57-5
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:We investigated the dynamics of decanethiol self-assembled monolayers on Au(111) surfaces using time-resolved scanning tunneling microscopy at room temperature. The expected ordered phases (β, δ, χ*, and φ) and a disordered phase (ε) were observed. Current-time traces with the feedback loop disabled were recorded at different locations on the surface. The sulfur end group of the decanethiolate molecule exhibits a stochastic two-level switching process when the molecule is adsorbed in a (local) β phase registry. This two-level process is attributed to the diffusion of the Au-thiolate complex between two adjacent adsorption sites. The irregular current jumps in the current-time traces recorded on the tails of decanethiolate molecules in the ordered β, δ, and χ* phases are ascribed to wagging of the alkyl tails. Finally, the disordered phase is characterized by even larger current jumps, which indicates that the tail of the decanethiolate flips up occasionally and makes contact with the tip. Our experiments reveal that the massive dynamics of the self-assembled monolayer is due to diffusion of decanethiol-Au complexes, rather than the diffusion of decanethiolate molecules
Beschreibung:Date Completed 30.08.2013
Date Revised 19.02.2013
published: Print-Electronic
Citation Status MEDLINE
ISSN:1520-5827
DOI:10.1021/la304902y