Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs) are used in molecular recognition, surface engineering, micro-contact printing and molecular electronics. The ultimate objective of molecular electronics is to combine different types of functional molecules into integrated circuits. This process of combination should be autonomous by self-assembly. 

A crucial aspect in the fabrication of molecular electronics is the formation of a high quality self-assembled monolayer. Characterization of different SAMs on gold has been investigated in detail using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS).