Self-assembled monolayers of octadecanoic acid on indium arsenide

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of octadecanoic acid (ODA) on oxidized InAs were prepared and characterized, and their stability in ambient, solvents and against heating was investigated. Results confirm the formation of densely packed, well-ordered monolayers. Storage of ODA SAMs in ambient does not lead to any noticeable degradation for months. ODA can be rinsed off the surface by some organic solvents, but SAMs are stable in water. ODA SAMs are stable up to 120 °C in ambient, above which temperature ODA starts to desorb. Above 200 °C, oxidation of the InAs substrate occurs.