STRUCTURE OF SAMS GENERATED FROM FUNCTIONALIZED THIOLS ON GOLD

The structure and growth of two classes of self-assembled monolayers ( SAMs) on Au(111) derived from the adsorption of the functionalized thi ol hexyl-azobenzenethiol (12-(4-(4-hexylphenylazo)phenoxy)dodecane-1-t hiol) and the partially fluorinated alkanethiols (CF3(CF2)(9)(CH2)(11) SH and CF3(CF2)(7)(CH2)(6)SH were examined. The structural properties of the SAMs were strongly influenced by the interactions between the f unctional groups comprising the tails of the molecules. Molecular reso lution atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of the hexyl-azobenzenethi ol SAMs revealed an expanded lattice (nearest neighbor spacing, a = 0. 53 nm, b, = 0.56 nm, and angle between the two axes, theta = 85 degre es) relative to those of simple azobenzene-terminated SAMs. The expand ed lattice probably results from the presence of the hexyl tail groups . The structure of the SAMs formed from the fluorinated alkanethiols w as also probed by AFM, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-R AS) and dynamic contact angle measurements. The degree of molecular ti lt of the fluorocarbon helix appears to be influenced by the length of the methylene spacer moieties, which might result from the introducti on of flexibility into the molecular chains. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.