Rearrangements in an alkylthiolate self-assembled monolayer using electrostatic interactions between nanoscale...

Chemically induced rearrangements of amphifunctional molecules have been demonstrated using strong nonuniform electric fields (10(8)-10(10) V m(-1)) induced in the vicinity of nanoscale asperities. Electrostatic interactions utilizing these rearrangements of alkylthiolates assembled on Au(111) result in the nanopatterning of raised nanostructure (1.5-9 nm high, 15-100 nm wide) arrays on a second time scale by manipulating an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip above the monolayer. It is suspected that, as a result of the oxidative cleavage initiated by a weak bias of the tip, the S end of the alkylthiolate chain carrying a sulfenium cation is attracted to the (lifting) tip, forming bi- and higher-layer structures in the vicinity of the tip apex. Stabilization of the multiple-layered structures is accomplished via mutual attraction and entanglement of hydrocarbon chains. The rearrangements suggest a novel and general approach for nanoscale architecture in self-assembled systems.