Angle Resolved XPS for the Characterization of Self Assembled Monolayers

Self assembled monolayers (SAMS) are increasingly important as a means to functionalize surfaces to control surface properties or reactivity. In this application note the Thermo Scientific Theta Probe was used to characterize self assembled monolayers on a gold surface with ARXPS. It was possible to determine the attachment scheme of the layers, the thickness of these layers and the way in which the concentration of material or chemical states varies within the top few nanometers of the material.