Direct observation of a self-assembled monolayer of heptyl xanthate at the germanium/water interface: a polarized FTIR study.

The adsorption of heptyl xanthate on germanium has been studied by the attenuated total reflection (ATR) technique. Polarized infrared light was used in situ to determine the average orientation of the alkyl chain in heptyl xanthate adsorbed at the germanium/solution interface. Spectra reveal the formation of closely packed xanthate ions with the alkyl chains in the all-trans conformation. The average tilt angle of the alkyl chains of heptyl xanthate was approximately 47° from the surface normal.