Characterization of benzenethiolate self-assembled monolayer on Cu(1 0 0) by XPS and NEXAFS

The composition, electronic structure and molecular orientation of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of benzenethiolate on the Cu(1 0 0) surface have been investigated by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS). An ordered benzenethiolate SAM with c(2 x 6) superstructure has been obtained by the reaction of diphenyldisulfide with the Cu(1 0 0) surface at room temperature. S 2p and C 1s XP spectra show S-Cu bond formation without significant thiolate decomposition. The strong dichroic signal of C K-edge NEXAFS upon varying polarization angle indicates upstanding of the adsorbed molecules with the benzene ring tilted by 20 deg. from the surface normal.