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Let's say a solid is submerged in a solution of species with functional groups and a self-assembled monolayer is forming. What are the typical time scales for the formation of a continuous monolayer? (seconds, minutes, days..?)

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For an adsorbate in gaseous phase and high vacuum, a rough approximation on Wikipedia is ~1 sec.

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Depends on concentration and other parameters. For thiols on gold, for example, a typical concentration is 1-5 mM, and formation time is 24-48 hours; "Longer assembly times tend to result in better monolayer packing." (ref)

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  • $\begingroup$ To emphasize the variability: I do research where I use ethanethiol + mercaptoethanol to make a gold surface hydrogen-bonding or non-hydrogen-bonding. I dip the gold-coated material in pure thiol for 30sec. We haven't characterized the packing arrangement, but our materials are noticeably non-polar (ethanethiol) or polar (mercaptoethanol). $\endgroup$
    – NMJD
    Commented Dec 22, 2016 at 3:16

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