Electrochemical Assembly and Potential-Dependent Plasmon Absorption of Au Nanoclusters Covered with a 4-Aminothiophenol Self-Assembled Monolayer

Gold nanoclusters covered with 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) were electrochemically assembled on an Au or ITO electrode. The assembly mechanism is discussed on the basis of results of electrochemical, FT-IR, and XPS measurements. The intensity of plasmon absorption of the gold nanocluster assembly was shown to be dependent on applied potential as a result of electrochemical doping/undoping of a counteranion in the polyaniline film.