This paper analyzes the structures of organic layers that are obtained on metals or carbon by electrochemical reduction of diazonium salts or by simple dipping of the substrate in a diazonium solution.There is a general agreement in the literature on the polyphenylene structure of these layers. But, previous results based on XPS data have indicated the possible presence of azo groups in these layers. IR and TOF-SIMS experiments demonstrate the existence of these azo groups included in the polyphenylene chains. A mechanism is presented that accounts both for the growth of polyphenylene chains and the inclusion of azo bonds in these chains.

Codeposition of hydrocarbons is a severe problem during focused electron beam writing of pure metal nanostructures. When using organometallic precursors, a low metal content carbonaceous matrix embedding and separating numerous nanosized metal clusters is formed. In this work, we present a new and easy approach to obtain high purity gold lines: the use of inorganic PF3AuCl as a precursor. Electrical resistivities as low as 22 μΩ cm at 295 K (ten times the bulk Au value) were obtained. This is to our knowledge the best value for focused electron beam deposition obtained from the vapor phase so far. No special care was taken to prevent hydrocarbon contamination. The deposited nanostructure consists of gold grains varying in size and percolation with beam parameters.

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