# Self-Assembly of Linear Three-Ring Aromatic Thiols on Au(111)

## TL;DR

This study explores how certain aromatic thiols self-assemble on gold surfaces, forming structured monolayers with specific molecular arrangements.

## Contribution

The paper introduces new insights into the self-assembly behavior of linear three-ring aromatic thiols with different terminal groups on Au(111) surfaces.

## Key findings

- TPT, FTPT, CF3TPT, and PyBPT form densely packed SAMs with hexagonal unit cells of 21.55 Ų per molecule.
- NTPT SAMs exhibit coexisting hexagonal and squared structures with areas of 21.55 and 42.25 Ų per molecule.
- XPS, LEED, and STM techniques were used to determine the structural properties of the SAMs.

## Abstract

We report on the
self-assembly of linear three-ring aromatic
thiols
on Au(111)/mica substrates. Our study examines terphenylthiol (TPT)
derivatives with distinct terminal groups −F (FTPT), −CF3 (CF3TPT) and −NO2 (NTPT) as
well as a pyridinebiphenyl (PyBPT) compound. Using complementary surface
science techniquesX-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS),
low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), and scanning tunneling microscopy
(STM)we elucidate the structural properties of the resulting
self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). The TPT, FTPT, CF3TPT
and PyBPT molecules form densely packed SAMs with hexagonal unit cells
exhibiting an area of 21.55 Å2 per molecule. For the
NTPT SAM, two different molecular arrangements were observed to coexist:
a hexagonal structure and a squared structure, with areas per molecule
of 21.55 and 42.25 Å2, respectively.