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Two-dimensional self-assembly of melem and melemium cations at pH-controlled aqueous solution–Au(111) interfaces under electrochemical control

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Abstract

Two-dimensional self-assembly of melem at pH-controlled aqueous solution-Au(111) interfaces has been investigated by electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy. In the solutions with pH>pK b1 of melem, two ordered self-assembled structures (honeycomb and close-packed structures) and one disordered fibrillar structure were observed as a function of the surface coverage of melem controlled by the electrode potential. In contrast, in the acidic solution with pH<pK b1 of melem, only the self-assembled honeycomb network was observed in a relatively wide potential range probably due to the presence of monoprotonated melem cations. Dots attributed to counteranions were frequently observed in the pores of the honeycomb network. The lack of close-packed and fibrillar structures at low pH (<pK b1) is attributed to ionic repulsion of melemium cations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Advanced Materials Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Kagawa University, Kagawa, 761-0396, Japan

    Shinobu Uemura

  2. Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan

    Kenki Sakata, Masashi Aono, Yusuke Nakamura & Masashi Kunitake

Authors
  1. Shinobu Uemura
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  2. Kenki Sakata
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  3. Masashi Aono
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  4. Yusuke Nakamura
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  5. Masashi Kunitake
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Correspondence to Shinobu Uemura or Masashi Kunitake.

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Uemura, S., Sakata, K., Aono, M. et al. Two-dimensional self-assembly of melem and melemium cations at pH-controlled aqueous solution–Au(111) interfaces under electrochemical control. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng. 10, 294–300 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-016-1564-4

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