Characterization of Formation Kinetics of Self-Assembled Thiol Monolayers on Gold by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Self-assembled monolayers of octadecanethiol (ODT) on gold have been studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The fractional coverage has been examined as a function of immersion time of Au in ODT deposition solution. The fractional coverage exhibits two distinct adsorption steps: an initial rapid step followed by a slow one. The fractional coverage of ODT monolayer increases sharply from zero to more than 99% of its maximum within the first minute. However, it takes a day for the fractional coverage to approach its final value.