Angle resolved XPS of monomolecular layer of 5-chlorobenzotriazole on oxidized metallic surface

Abstract Angle resolved XPS is used to study adsorption of 5-chlorobenzotriazole (5-chloroBTAH) on surfaces of the oxidized metals: mild steel, copper and zinc from borate buffer solution (pH 7.4). It is shown that for the metals studied the 5-chloroBTA anions, when adsorbed, form a monomolecular layer whose thickness is ∼6 A comparable with the size of BTA. As XPS evidences adsorption proceeds with deprotonation of 5-chloroBTAH and formation of the coordination bonds between the lone pair of nitrogens and cation of a metal. Measuring XPS at two different angles unequivocally points out almost vertical arrangement of the anions toward the sample surface, when chlorine atoms form outmost virtual layer.