Two-dimensional crystal structure of a quaterthiophene-alkanethiol self-assembled monolayer on gold

We investigated the fine structure of a self-assembled monolayer of dodecanethiol functionalized by alpha-quaterthiophene on gold (alpha-4TC 12H 24SH). The molecular orientation, quantified using polarization modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy, was studied as a function of the adsorption time. The alpha-4T moieties arrange in the upright position on the surface as the adsorption time increases, while the alkyl chain organization remains poor. Here we quantify the orientation of the self-assembled monolayer and, more significantly, reveal through surface X-ray diffraction that after a long incubation period (12 h) the alpha-4T on the gold surface adopts a 2D crystal structure.