Metallization of ultra-thin, non-thiol SAMs with flat-lying molecular units: Pd on 1, 4-dicyanobenzene.
Self-assembled monolayers of 1,4-dicyanobenzene on Au(111) electrodes are studied by cyclic voltammetry, in-situ STM and ex-situ XPS. High-resolution STM images reveal a long-range order of propeller-like assemblies each of which consists of three molecules, all lying flat on the gold substrate with the cyano groups oriented parallel to the metal surface. It is demonstrated that both functional groups can act as complexation sites for metal ions from solution. Surprisingly, such arrangements still allow the metal to be deposited on top of the molecules by electrochemical reduction despite the close vicinity to the Au surface. The latter is demonstrated by angle-resolved XPS which unequivocally shows that the metal indeed resides on top of the organic layer rather than underneath, despite the flat arrangement of the molecules.
Eberle
Felix
F
Institute of Electrochemistry, University of Ulm, 89069 Ulm, Germany.
Metzler
Martin
M
Kolb
Dieter M
DM
Saitner
Marc
M
Wagner
Patrick
P
Boyen
Hans-Gerd
HG
D003486:Cyanides / Q000737:chemistry*; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004566:Electrodes; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010165:Palladium / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties
D003486:Cyanides; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010165:Palladium; C062319:1,4-dicyanobenzene; D006046:Gold