Modification and stability of aromatic self-assembled monolayers upon irradiation with energetic particles

P. Cyganik, E. Vandeweert, Z. Postawa, Z. Bastiaansen, F. Vervaecke, P. Lievens, R. E. Silverans, N. Winograd

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35 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have studied ion and electron irradiation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 2-(4′-methyl-biphenyl-4yl)-ethanethiol (BP2, CH 3-C 6H 4C 6H 4CH 2CH 2-SH), phenyl mercaptan (PEM, C 6H 5CH 2CH 2-SH), and 4′-methyl-biphenyl-4- thiol (BP0, CH 3-C 6H 4C 6H 4-SH) deposited on Au(111) substrates. Desorption of neutral particles from PEM/Au and BP2/Au was investigated using laser ionization in combination with mass spectrometry. The ion-induced damage of both BP2 and PEM SAMs is very efficient and interaction with a single ion leads to the modification of tens of molecules. This feature is the result of a desorption process caused by a chemical reaction initiated by an ion impact. Both for ions and electrons, experiments indicate that the possibility for scission of the Au-S bond strongly depends on the chemical nature of the SAM system. We attribute the possible origin of this effect to the orientation of the Au-S-C angle or adsorption sites of molecules. The analysis of electron-irradiated PEM/Au and BP2/Au, using ion-initiated laser probing, enabled measurements of the cross section for the electron-induced damage of the intact molecule or specific fragment. Analysis of electron-irradiated BP0/Au by using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) provides direct evidence for the quasi-polymerization process induced by electron irradiation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5085-5094
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry B
Volume109
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 24 2005

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Materials Chemistry

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