Effects of Film Crystallinity on the Protective Properties of Self-Assembled Monolayers of Alkanethiols on Copper

Packing and structure within ultrathin organic films can have a dramatic impact on bulk and interfacial properties, such as the ability of the film to provide corrosion resistance to the underlying substrates, especially to microelectronic devices. This communication provides a molecular- level examination of the effect of crystallinity on the protection provided to copper by crystalline self-assembled monolayers of n-alkanethiols. These ultrathin films, formed by a simple chemisorption process, are shown to be even more protective than thicker polymer films.