The present study is an attempt to understand the properties of an interesting self-assembled monolayer system composed of inclusion complexes of thiocholesterol and cyclodextrins. Cyclodextrins were used as host compound while thiocholesterol was used as the entrant molecule into the cavity of cyclodextrins. The improved electron transfer barrier property towards a redox couple indicates a sturdy inclusion complex monolayer. A very large R-ct value, 64.6 k Omega.cm(2) for a redox system was obtained in the case of methyl-beta-cyclodextrin and thiocholesterol inclusion complex self-assembledmonolayer. A rather low value of capacitance 1.2 mu F cm(-2) measured in supporting electrolyte further signifies the fact that inclusion complex monolayer is quite impermeable for ionic species. In addition lateral force microscopy combined with force-distance analysis revealed the presence of an interesting mixed hydrophilic/hydrophobic surface. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.