Scanning Tunneling Microscopy: Development ofTips for Contrast Enhanced Imaging and Imaging of Mixed Monolayers.

摘要

Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) is a powerful tool for surface analysis which provides atomic resolution of samples. Of particular interest is the adsorption behavior of alkane and alkane derivatives on graphite substrates. Such studies are limited by the lack of chemical information provided by STM. Chemically Selective STM, wherein STM tips are chemically modified in order to provide enhanced contrast of chemicals on a surface is a solution to this limitation. While extremely promising this method has several limitations barring it from wider application. These limitations include the low population of modified tips that provide contrast enhancement and limited useful tip lifetime.;Chapter 1 presents a general introduction to the materials and methods employed in this work. In Chapter 2 growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on STM tips is explored as a new route to chemically modified STM tips. Growth of CNTs on tungsten followed by electrodeposition of ruthenium oxide to create a conductive path led to a working CNT STM tip. Chapter 3 presents a study of gold nanoparticle deposition on carbon nanotubes by thermal evaporation. Nanoparticles supported on CNTs are of interest in various area of study including catalysis and electrochemistry. It is demonstrated that evaporation is an effective route to CNT supported gold nanoparticles.;Chapter 4 focuses on development of a new single-step electrochemical etching method for producing gold STM tips. Sharp gold STM tips are critical for chemically selective STM performed with self-assembled monolayer (SAM) modified tips. It is demonstrated that electrochemical etching in low concentrations of perchloric acid in aqueous sodium chloride solutions produces high quality tips. Chapter 5 discusses an in-situ voltage pulse treatment for inducing chemical contrast enhancement in STM images. This method, applied for the first time to a hydrogen bond donor, allows chemical contrast enhancement in STM images to be switched on or off and extend the useful life time and population of SAM modified STM tips. Chapter 6 describes an investigation of the adsorption behavior of an unsymmetrical alkyl ether and an unsymmetrical alkyl thioether, and the formation and structure of mixed monolayers of those two components.