Control of alkanethiolate monolayer structure using vapor-phase annealing

We describe an annealing procedure for self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) that uses vapor-phase molecules to modify the local domain structure. Existing SAMs of decanethiolate on Au{111} were annealed using vapor-phase dodecanethiol molecules, so that the original and newly introduced molecules could be distinguished using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Molecules deposited from the vapor phase inserted at existing monolayer defect sites and domain boundaries, and at substrate step edges forming discrete network-like domains. The SAM molecular lattice can be preserved across molecular terrace boundaries between the decanethiolate and dodecanethiolate domains. Candidate molecular electronic component molecules were inserted from solution in the decanethiolate matrix as isolated molecules. These inserted molecules could then be surrounded by dodecanethiolate molecules introduced from the vapor phase, thus demonstrating a method for controlling the local environment of inserted molecules.