Initial Oxidation of Alkanethiol-Covered Copper Studied by Vibrational Sum Frequency Spectroscopy

The oxidation of octadecanethiol (ODT, CH3(CH2)17SH)-covered copper in dry air has been studied by in situ vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy (VSFS), infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS), and cathodic reduction (CR). During the first 10 h of exposure, the VSF spectral line shape in the CH stretching region changed significantly, with resonances observed as dips being transformed into peaks. This was attributed to a phase change in the nonresonant sum frequency signal due to the formation of a thin layer of copper(I) oxide beneath the ODT. Complementary cathodic reduction and infrared reflection/absorption spectroscopy studies yielded a thickness of the oxide layer of <2 nm after 19 h exposure. An orientation analysis on the adsorbed molecules by VSFS indicated a decreased tilt angle of the terminating methyl groups with respect to the surface normal during the formation of the oxide layer.