CHAIN-LENGTH DEPENDENCE OF THE STRUCTURES AND PHASES OF CH3(CH2)N-1SH SELF-ASSEMBLED ON AU(111)

A grazing incidence x-ray diffraction study of CH3(CH2)n-1SH self-assembled on a Au(111) surface shows that self-assembly results in a nonequilibrium state with a specific defect structure. We also explore the global (n,T) phase diagram whose phases are distinguished by the tilt direction and the two-dimensional periodicity. These phases result in distinct long (n > 14) and short (n < 14) chain-length regimes, and reflect the relative importance of the hydrocarbon and interface interactions in these systems.