Evolution of the Structure and Mechanical Stability ofSelf-Assembled Alkane-Thiol Islands on Au(111) Due to Diffusion andRipening
An atomic force microscopy (AFM) study of the structure and stability of islands of alkanethiol (C16H33SH) grown on Au(111) is presented. Ripening processes involving long-range molecular diffusion take place at ambient temperature on the scale of days. In the partially covered surface, ripening is manifested by an enlargement of the islands, as well as by molecular densification. On the well-packed islands, the c(4x2) superstructure could be imaged. Another manifestation of island densification is a substantial increase in mechanical stability, as shown by the resistance of the film to penetration by the tip. The threshold pressure for molecular displacement and tip penetration was found to increase by almost 70 percent relative to the initial value before ripening.
- Research Organization:
- Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley NationalLaboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Director, Office of Science. Office of Basic EnergySciences. Division of Materials Sciences
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-05CH11231
- OSTI ID:
- 894222
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL--44121
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Chemical Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Chemical Physics Journal Issue: 21 Vol. 111; ISSN JCPSA6; ISSN 0021-9606
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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