Ferrocenylalkylthiolate labeling of defects in alkylthiol self-assembled monolayers on gold.
Coverage defects in alkylthiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are critically important to function related to electron transfer from soluble redox probes. There is therefore a need for an accurate and direct measurement of the number and type of coverage defect in a range of SAMs. Ferrocenyldodecanethiol (FcC(12)SH) has been assessed as an electrochemically-addressable label of coverage defects. It is shown that short time exposure of a SAM to FcC(12)SH leads to a quantifiable Fc coverage (Gamma(Fc)), with Gamma(Fc) < 1% readily measurable. The voltammetric signature of FcC(12)SH label is also able to differentiate types of defect in a given SAM. A number of SAM preparation conditions are assessed for the density and type of coverage defect. This labeling method therefore will be a useful tool for research into SAM property-function relationships.
Yoon Suk Lee
Lawrence
L
Department of Chemistry and the FQRNT Centre for Self-Assembled Chemical Structures, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Bruce Lennox
R
R
D000473:Alkanes / Q000737:chemistry; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004566:Electrodes; D004579:Electron Transport; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors
D000473:Alkanes; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; C007548:n-dodecane; D006046:Gold