Electrochemical study of adlayers of α,ω-alkanedithiols on Au(1 1 1): Influence of the forming solution, chain length and treatment with mild reducing agents

► Adlayer structure is strongly influenced by disulphide bond formation. ► The typical preparation method is not effective in producing well ordered monolayers. ► The use of low polarity solvents, prevents the multilayer structure. ► Improvement of the SAM structure can be achieved by using mild reducing agents. ► When toluene is used as a solvent, layers with lying-down structure were obtained.