In Situ Quartz Crystal Microgravimetric Studies of Molecular Adsorbates Containing Thiol and Hydroquinone Moieties Bound to Au(111) Surfaces in Aqueous Electrolytes

The microgravimetric properties of monolayers of 2,5-dihydroxythiophenol, 2,5-dihydroxybenzyl mercaptan, and 2,5-dihydroxy-4-methylbenzyl mercaptan adsorbed on Au(ll)) single crystal electrodes weee examined by in situ quartz crystal microbalance techniques in aqueous perchloric acid electrolytes. The results obtained are consistent with the reversible loss of an average of about three waters per adsorbed molecule as the layers are oxidized and subsequently reduced. These observations provide evidence for discrete changes in the extent of bound water within the hydroquinone/quinone layer as the oxidation state of the monolayer is changed.