Special features in self-assembled monolayer revealed by functionalised STM tips

Abstract

Some functional groups in self-assembled monolayers have recently been identified in STM images, due to the chemical modification of gold tips [1]. In those studies, different molecules presenting different functional groups were investigated, resolving several molecular organizations [1-2, 4]. In this paper, we aimed at demonstrating that such chemically modified STM tips can be used to investigate phenomenon routinely observed with standard Pt/Ir tips, such as domain boundary dynamics in hexadecanol SAMs. It also allows transitory features to be identified. Moreover, rarely observed phenomena are also presented below, i.e. bilayers composed of wax esters molecules physisorbed at the phenyloctane/graphite interface. © 2007 IOP Publishing Ltd.