An STM Study of Chemically Deposited Silver Nanoclusters on Mixed Self-Assembled Monolayers

Small silver clusters Ag _n (primarily probably Ag₄ clusters which aggregate to Ag_n (400<n<2000)) are generated in the immediate vicinity of a four-electron reducing agent (based on hydroquinone) which is incorporated in a monolayer of long-chain alkanethiols. The hydroquinone derivative is oxidized to quinone (see the picture). Molecularly resolved scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images were obtained of self-assembled monolayers with and without silver clusters.