Photoelectron Spectroscopic Investigation on the Redox-Dependent Electronic and Interfacial Structures in Ferrocene-Terminated Self-Assembled Monolayers

摘要

The solid-liquid interface is central to electrochemical (EC) processes including electrocatalysis, electrodeposition and corrosion. Amongst model systems, ferrocene-terminated alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (Fc SAM) on Au are attractive due to their practical applicability and versatility with structural modifications.1 Electrochemical oxidation/reduction of the Fc SAM changes the ferrocene/ferrocenium (Fc/Fc~+) redox state and leads to notable changes to the interfacial structure with respect to interactions with the electrolyte and work function. Nevertheless, existing experimental efforts aimed at probing the changes in electronic structure are still limited.