Adsorption of unsaturated organic compounds from solution on copper

Ultrathin Layers of Substituted Poly(styrene)s on Gold and Copper

“…When copper substrates are immersed to the middle of the sample in PSN and PSSb solutions for 24 h, the copper level decreases by several hundred angstroms, as revealed by surface profile measurements at the transition from the nonimmersed to the immersed zone; i.e., the substrates slowly dissolve in the immersed part. A similar behavior has been reported for other compounds on copper in the context of the formation of “thick” layers consisting most probably of organometallic complexes or other reaction products, and not of pure polymer …”

“…The values of PSN on gold, PSP on gold and copper, and PSAs on gold and copper are between 10 and 35 Å (Table ). The thicknesses of PSN on gold, PSP on gold and copper, and PSAs on gold and copper are in a typical range reported for monolayers of flexible polymers on gold. − Layer thicknesses of 130 Å, as found for PSN on copper, are usually attributed to a “thick” layer consisting of organometallic complexes rather than organic layers, in agreement with the observation that the signals of copper atoms are still clearly visible in XPS, indicating that the copper atoms are not buried under a layer of organic material. The value for PSSb on gold (55 Å) is above the values previously reported for monolayers of polymers on this metal.…”

“…That copper(I) oxide complexes are present at the surface is indicated by the O(1s) binding energy of 530.7 eV and the Cu(2p 3/2 ) binding energy of 932.5 eV where the corresponding spectrum lacks the characteristic satellite structure of CuO . Traces of agents such as water or oxygen are also responsible for the formation of a thin layer of copper(I) oxide species that are always present on copper surfaces under the reaction conditions used here. ,− , Corresponding copper(I) oxide species were also detected upon surface modification with PSP and PSN . The mechanism of the oxidation of the phosphorus atoms might involve a transfer from oxygen atoms of copper(I) oxide surface species to phosphorus atoms coordinated to surface copper atoms.…”

“…A number of studies deal with ultrathin layers of organic compounds adsorbed on gold and copper from solution. Mostly, low molecular weight compounds with sulfur functionalities were described, − but molecules with other functionalities were based on elements such as selenium, nitrogen, ,− phosphorus, arsene, antimony, bismuth, and carbon (olefins) . On gold, only monolayers have been detected, to our knowledge.…”

“…On gold, only monolayers have been detected, to our knowledge. On copper, however, layers of a thickness of several hundred angstroms (“thick” layers) can also form 19,20 that probably consist of organometallic complexes rather than of an organic multilayer …”