Surface modification of polycrystalline iron surfaces by n-dodecanethiol: an XPS investigation

Two types of iron substrates, polished and electrochemically reduced, have been reacted with pure n-dodecanethiol and assessed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. It is found that the electrochemically reduced surfaces, rich in the less stable Fe(OH)x and presenting a lower thickness of film oxide, lead to modified surfaces of better quality in terms of well-controlled interface between the grafted molecule and the iron substrate. This opens the prospect of iron surface activation with sacrificial organothiols.