Co-assembly of ferrocene-terminated and alkylthiophene thiols on gold and its redox chemistry modulated by surfactant adsorption

Coadsorption of ferrocene-terminated alkanethiols (FcCO2(CH2)8SH, Fc=(η5-C5H5)Fe(η5-C5H4)) with alkylthiophene thiols (2-mercapto-3-n-octylthiophene) yields stable, electroactive self-assembled monolayers on gold. The resulting mixed monolayer provides an energetically favorable hydrophobic surface for the adsorption of the surfactant aggregates in aqueous solution. The adsorptions have been characterized via their effect on the redox properties of ferrocenyl alkanethiols immobilized as minority components in the monolayers and on the interfacial capacitance of the electrode. Surfactant adsorption causes a decrease in the overall capacitance at the electrode and dramatically shifts the redox potential for ferrocene oxidation in a positive or negative direction depending on the identity of the surfactant employed. A structural model is proposed in which the alkane chains of the adsorbed surfactants interdigitate with those of the underlying self-assembled monolayer, leading to the formation of a hybrid bilayer membrane.