Abstract
In order to construct the molecular device which has specific functionalities, it is essential to attach functional molecules on ordered solid/electrode surfaces. Self-assembled monolayer system, which makes chemical bonds between surface atoms of the solid/electrode surface and molecules and lateral interaction between adsorbed molecules, has been very widely employed to construct ordered molecular layers. Self-assembled monolayers of alkylthiols on gold electrode have been the most well-studied system because they have wide varieties of potential applications such as sensors, corrosion inhibition, wetting control, and bio-mimetic electro-devices and highly stable monolayers can be formed easily. For adding the specific functionality on the electrode surface, it becomes very important to understand the modified structure and its growth process. In this article, the self-assembled process and typical functionalities of the self-assembled monolayers of (alkyl)thiol derivatives are described mainly based on the results obtained in our works. Future prospects are also presented.
