title: A study on the formation and thermal stability of 11-MUA SAMs on Au(111)/mica and on polycrystalline gold foils.
abstract: In this article we present a comprehensive study of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid self-assembled monolayer (SAM) formation on gold surfaces. The SAMs were prepared in ethanolic solution, utilizing two different substrates: Au(111)/mica and polycrystalline gold foils. Several experimental methods (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy) reveal a well-defined SAM. The main focus of this work, however, was to test the stability of these SAMs by thermal desorption spectroscopy. The spectra show different desorption peaks indicating different adsorption states and/or decomposition products on the surface. The assumed monolayer peak, which can be attributed to desorption of the intact molecule, is detected at 550 K. Further desorption peaks can be found, which result, e.g., from cracking of the S-C bond on the surface, depending on the substrate quality and on the residence time under ambient conditions.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Solid State Physics, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 16, A- 8010 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stettner
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Griesser
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Trimmel
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schennach
authors.forename: Eduard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gilli
authors.forename: Adolf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Winkler
mesh_terms: D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization; D004220:Disulfides / Q000737:chemistry; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D006049:Gold Isotopes; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: C505222:11-mercaptoundecanoic acid; D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D004220:Disulfides; D005227:Fatty Acids; D006049:Gold Isotopes; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; C011934:mica