The bonding strength and interfacial electronic properties of biphenyldimethyldithiol molecules, S-CH₂-C₆H₄-C₆H₄-CH₂-S, adsorbed on cobalt surfaces are identified using photoemission experiments and density functional calculations. Both experiment and theory show a strong bonding of thiol to cobalt with a large charge transfer making the S-Co bond strongly polar (see figure). The interface bonding does not quench the interface Co magnetism. These results show promise for new organic insulating materials for spintronic applications.

Dowben, Tsymbal Groups