1,5-Pentanedithiol is primarily used in the field of material science and nanotechnology. It serves as a key agent in the formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold and other metal surfaces. These SAMs are crucial for modifying surface properties, such as wettability, adhesion, and corrosion resistance, making it valuable in the development of sensors, electronic devices, and protective coatings. Additionally, it is employed in the synthesis of organic compounds, particularly in the creation of complex molecules with specific functional groups. Its dual thiol groups make it a versatile crosslinking agent in polymer chemistry, enhancing the mechanical and thermal properties of materials. In biochemistry, it is sometimes used for protein modification or stabilization due to its ability to form disulfide bonds.