The electrochemical characterisation of benzyl mercaptan-modified Au(111): Structure and copper deposition

The behaviour of benzyl mercaptan self-assembled monolayers on Au(111) in sulfuric acid solution was studied using cyclic voltammetry and in situ scanning tunnelling microscopy. Modification of the Au(111) surface in an ethanolic solution of benzyl mercaptan leads to a disordered monolayer. However, by partial reductive desorption a striped c (15 x root3) and a (2 x root3) structure were obtained. The disordered benzyl mercaptan film was also used for the study of copper deposition. At -0.02 V versus SCE, that is in the underpotential deposition region, monoatomic high islands appear on the surface. Bulk deposition of copper starts at -0.08 V versus SCE with the growth of dendrites underneath the thiol film. At higher overpotentials, the growth of three-dimensional copper clusters commences.