Stability of radical-functionalized gold surfaces by self-assembly and on-surface chemistry

• Published in: Chemical science (Cambridge) Vol. 11; no. 34; pp. 9162 - 9172
• Main Authors: Junghoefer, Tobias, Nowik-Boltyk, Ewa Malgorzata, de Sousa, J. Alejandro, Giangrisostomi, Erika, Ovsyannikov, Ruslan, Chassé, Thomas, Veciana, Jaume, Mas-Torrent, Marta, Rovira, Concepció, Crivillers, Núria, Casu, Maria Benedetta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Royal Society of Chemistry 13.08.2020; The Royal Society of Chemistry
• Subjects: Chemisorption; Chemistry; Exposure; Gold; Interface stability; Monolayers; Photoelectric emission; Photoelectrons; Self-assembled monolayers; Self-assembly; Spectra; Stability analysis; Surface stability
• ISSN: 2041-6520; 2041-6539
• DOI: 10.1039/d0sc03399e

We have investigated the radical functionalization of gold surfaces with a derivative of the perchlorotriphenylmethyl (PTM) radical using two methods: by chemisorption from the radical solution and by on-surface chemical derivation from a precursor. We have investigated the obtained self-assembled monolayers by photon-energy dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Our results show that the molecules were successfully anchored on the surfaces. We have used a robust method that can be applied to a variety of materials to assess the stability of the functionalized interface. The monolayers are characterized by air and X-ray beam stability unprecedented for films of organic radicals. Over very long X-ray beam exposure we observed a dynamic nature of the radical-Au complex. The results clearly indicate that (mono)layers of PTM radical derivatives have the necessary stability to withstand device applications. We have investigated the radical functionalization of gold with a derivative of the perchlorotriphenylmethyl radical using two methods: by chemisorption from the radical solution and by on surface chemical derivation from a precursor.