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Updated: Nov 2, 2025

A Technique to Functionalize and Self-assemble Macroscopic Nanoparticle-ligand Monolayer Films onto Template-free Substrates
Published on: May 9, 2014
Stability of radical-functionalized gold surfaces by self-assembly and on-surface chemistry
Tobias Junghoefer1, Ewa Malgorzata Nowik-Boltyk1, J Alejandro de Sousa2,3
1Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Tübingen 72076 Tübingen Germany benedetta.casu@uni-tuebingen.de.
Abstract:
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.
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