Potential-Induced Phase Transition of N-Isobutyryl-L-cysteine Monolayers on Au(111) Surfaces

• Functional solid substrates modified by self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have potential applications in biosensors, chromatography, and biocompatible materials. The potential-induced phase transition of N-isobutyryl-L-cysteine (L-NIBC) SAMs on Au(111) surfaces was investigated by in-situ electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM) in 0.1 mol.L-1 H2SO4 solution. The NIBC SAMs with two distinct structures (alpha phase and beta phase) can be prepared by immersing the Au(111) substrate in pure NIBC aqueous solution and NIBC solution controlled by phosphate buffer at pH 7, respectively. The as-prepared a phase and beta phase of NIBC SAMs show various structural changes under the control of electrochemical potentials of the Au(111) in H2SO4 solution. The a phase NIBC SAMs exhibit structural changes from ordered to disordered structures with potential changes from 0.7 V (vs saturated calomel electrode, SCE) to 0.2 V. However, the beta phase NIBC SAMs undergo structural changes from disordered structures (E < 0.3 V) to y phase (0.4 V < E < 0.5 V) and finally to the beta phase (0.5 V < E < 0.7 V). EC-STM images also indicate that the phase transition from the alpha phase NIBC SAMs to the a phase occurs at positive potential. Combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the phase transition from the beta phase to the a phase is explained by the potential-induced break of bonding interactions between -COO- and the negatively charged gold surfaces.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Fysikalisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Physical Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Self-assembly

Thiol

Phase transition

Potential-induced

Electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy

Density functional theory

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