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Reverse Self-Assembly: (111)-Oriented Gold Crystallization at Alkylthiol Monolayer Templates

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev. Lett.

It has long been known that thiol-terminated molecules self-assemble as commensurate monolayers on Au(111) surfaces. By spreading floating octadecanethiol monolayers on aqueous solutions of chloroauric acid (HAuCl{sub 4}) and using x rays to reduce the gold ions as well as to probe the structure, we have observed the nucleation of (111)-oriented Au nanoparticles at thiol surfaces. This process may be similar to the formation of biogenic gold by bacteria. The thiol monolayer acts as a 'soft template,' changing its structure as Au crystals form so that there is a {radical}3 x {radical}3 commensurate relationship.

Research Organization:
Advanced Photon Source (APS), Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
NSF
OSTI ID:
1025634
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev. Lett., Journal Name: Phys. Rev. Lett. Journal Issue: (11) ; 09, 2011 Vol. 107; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH

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