Nanoscale Work Function Contrast Induced by Decanethiol Self-Assembled Monolayers on Au(111).

ABSTRACT: In this paper, we obtain maps of the spatial tunnel barrier variations in self-assembled monolayers of organosulfurs on Au(111). Maps down to the sub-nanometer scale are obtained by combining topographic scanning tunneling microscopy images with dI/dz spectroscopy. The square root of the tunnel barrier height is directly proportional to the local work function and the dI/dz signal. We use ratios of the tunnel barriers to study the work function contrast in various decanethiol phases: the lying-down striped β phase, the dense standing-up φ phase, and the oxidized decanesulfonate λ phase. We compare the induced work function variations too: the work function contrast induced by a lying-down striped phase in comparison to the modulation induced by the standing-up φ

SUBMITTER: Tsvetanova M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7594278 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature