Formation of dense self-assembled monolayers of (n-decyl)trichlorosilanes on Ta/Ta2O5

Tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) is a promising material for the realization of biological interfaces because of its high dielectric constant, its high chemical stability, and its excellent passivating properties. Nevertheless, the deposition of highly organized silane SAMs to realize well-defined and tailored Ta2O5-based (bio)interfaces, has not been studied in great detail as of yet. In this work, we have investigated the formation of a highly ordered, dense monolayer of trichlorosilanes on Ta2O5 surfaces. Specifically, two different cleaning procedures for Ta2O5 were compared and (n-decyl)trichlorosilane (DTS) was used to study the effect of both cleaning methods on the silanization of Ta2O5. Both types of cleaning allowed the formation of complete and crystalline DTS monolayers on Ta2O5, in contrast with the incomplete, disordered silane layer assembled on uncleaned Ta2O5. The deposited self-assembled monolayers were studied by means of contact angle goniometry, Brewster angle FTIR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and ellipsometry. Infrared analysis exhibited a highly ordered DTS silane film on Ta2O5 and indicated a larger tilt angle of the alkyl chains on this substrate by comparison to DTS on SiO2. Furthermore, with use of ellipsometry and XPS, the silane film thickness on Ta2O5 was determined to be substantially smaller than that reported in the literature for DTS on SiO2, supporting the observations of an increased tilt angle (approximately 45 degrees ) on Ta2O5 than on SiO2 (approximately 10 degrees ). By means of cyclic voltammetry, the formation of a dense, essentially pinhole-free, silane film was observed on the cleaned samples. In conclusion, the fully characterized and optimized procedure for the silanization of Ta2O5 surfaces with trichlorosilanes will allow the formation of well-defined, reproducible, and controllable chemical interfaces on Ta2O5.     

Preparation and Characterization of Ag2 O/Organicsilicone Self-assemblied Composite Film

The composite film of nanometer AgO2/silane coupling reagent aminopropyltriethoxy-silane (CH3O)3Si(CH2)3NH2was prepared on single-crystal silicon by the self-assembly of silane on the hydroxylated substrate followed with the deposition of nanometer AgO2 on the silane SAMs from an aqueous Ag2O gel. The resultant composite film was characterized by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The contact angles of distilled water on the silane SAMs and the composite film were measured to compare the surface states. The experiment shows that the nanometer Ag2O can be easily incorporated in the silane SAMs and lead to changed surface state of the composite film. Nanometer Ag2O crystallites in a size of about 20 nm distribute quite uniformly in the composite film. It was anticipated that the composite film might find application to the protection of single-crystal Si substrate in MEMS devices and also propose a novel single electron device structure based on nanoscale Ag2O colloidal particles.     

Grafting of montmorillonite with different functional silanes via two different reaction systems

Silane grafted montmorillonites were synthesized by using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and trimethylchlorosilane via two different grafting reaction systems: (a) ethanol-water mixture and (b) vapor of silane. The resulting products were investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). XRD patterns demonstrate that silane was intercalated into the montmorillonite gallery, as indicated by the increase of the basal spacing. The product prepared by vapor deposition has a larger basal spacing than that obtained from solution, due to the different extent of silane hydrolysis in various grafting systems. TGA curves indicate that the methyl groups penetrate into the siloxane clay are the primary reason for the decrease of the dehydroxylation temperature of the grafted products. 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane in the grafted montmorillonite adopts a bilayer arrangement while trimethylchlorosilane adopts a monolayer arrangement within the clay gallery.     

Surface hydration and its effect on fluorinated SAM formation on SiO2 surfaces

Substrate hydration is demonstrated to be crucial to film quality during self-assembled (SA) film deposition of tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2,-tetrahydrooctyltrichlorosilane (FOTS) from the vapor phase. The surface hydration was studied by thermogravimetric analysis, and a model was developed to predict the conditions necessary to desorb all of the water adsorbed on a fused silica surface without significantly altering the concentration of the surface hydroxyl groups. The nature of the SA film was investigated as a function of the degree of rehydration of the dehydrated silica surface. The wettability and microstructure of the SA films were examined by water contact angle, ellipsometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. There is an optimum degree of substrate hydration, on the order of 1-1.2 monolayers of adsorbed water, required to produce a dense, durable and uniform FOTS film with high water repellency and a smooth surface.     

Hydrolytic stability of organic monolayers supported on TiO2 and ZrO2

The hydrolytic stability of C18 monolayers supported on TiO2 and ZrO2 was studied. Three types of monolayers were prepared from the following octadecyl modifiers: (1) octadecyldimethylchlorosilane (C18H37Si(CH3)2Cl); (2) octadecylsilane (C18H37SiH3); and (3) octadecylphosphonic acid (C18H37P(O)(OH)2). The hydrolysis of the surfaces prepared was studied under static conditions at 25 and 65 degrees C at pH 1-10. On the basis of the loss of grafted material, the stability of the monolayers fall in the following range: C18H37P(O)(OH)2 > or = C18H37SiH3 > C18H37Si(CH3)2Cl. At 25 degrees C, monolayers from C18H37P(O)(OH)2 showed only approximately 2-5% loss in grafting density after one week at pH 1-10. The high stability of these monolayers was explained because of the strong interactions of the phosphonic acids with the substrates. Monolayers from C18H37Si(CH3)2Cl showed poor hydrolytic stability at any pH, which was explained because of the low stability of Ti-O-Si and Zr-O-Si bonds. Unlike monofunctional silanes, trifunctional silane (C18H37SiH3) yielded surfaces that showed good hydrolytic stability. This suggests that the stability of the monolayers from trifunctional silanes is primarily due to "horizontal" bonding (Si-O-Si or Si-OH...HO-Si) rather than due to bondingwith the matrix (M-O-Si). At 65 degrees C, all C18 surfaces become more susceptible to hydrolysis; however, the trend observed for 25 degrees C remained unchanged. Low-temperature nitrogen adsorption was used to study the adsorption properties of the monolayers as a function of their grafting density. The energy of adsorption interactions showed a significant increase as the grafting density of the monolayers decreased. The order of the alkyl groups in the monolayers, as assessed from CH2 stretching, decreased as the grafting density of the monolayers decreased.     

Single-crystalline Bi(5)O(7)NO(3) nanofibers: Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization, growth mechanism, and photocatalytic properties

Semifluorinated self-assembled (FAS SA) films fabricated from trifunctional precursors are frequently used in myriad applications, yet an understanding of the effects of fabrication conditions, including deposition time, on adsorption mechanisms and molecular architectures is still being developed. In this work we prepared SA films based on the F(CF(2))(8)(CH(2))(2)SiCl(3) (FAS-17) precursor and characterized these films using a suite of surface analytical techniques. Contact angle, sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ellipsometry results are consistent with the formation of disordered sub-monolayer structures at short deposition times, well-ordered monolayers at intermediate deposition times, and inhomogeneous multilayers at long deposition times. Correlation of SFG and XPS results demonstrates a change in FAS-17 chain orientation as the deposition time increases from 2 s to 5 min. Group theory-based calculations, SFG studies, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) results also afford additional evidence in support of the assignment of the SFG signals at ~1345 and ~1370 cm(-1) to the asymmetric stretching mode of the semifluorinated silane chain's terminal CF(3) group rather than to its axial CF(2) stretches. To our knowledge, this is the first report of SFG studies on semifluoroalkyl silane self-assembled films in the C-F stretching frequency region.     

Characterization of supramolecular (H2O)18 water morphology and water-methanol (H2O)15(CH3OH)3 clusters in a novel phosphorus functionalized trimeric amino acid host

Phosphorus functionalized trimeric alanine compounds (l)- and (d)-P(CH(2)NHCH(CH(3))COOH)(3) 2 are prepared in 90% yields by the Mannich reaction of Tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine 1 with (l)- or (d)- Alanine in aqueous media. The hydration properties of (l)-2 and (d)-2 in water and water-methanol mixtures are described. The crystal structure analysis of (l)-2.4H(2)O, reveals that the alanine molecules pack to form two-dimensional bilayers running parallel to (001). The layered structural motif depicts two closely packed monolayers of 2 each oriented with its phosphorus atoms projected at the center of the bilayer and adjacent monolayers are held together by hydrogen bonds between amine and carboxylate groups. The water bilayers are juxtaposed with the H-bonded alanine trimers leading to 18-membered (H(2)O)(18) water rings. Exposure of aqueous solution of (l)-2 and (d)-2 to methanol vapors resulted in closely packed (l)-2 and (d)-2 solvated with mixed water-methanol (H(2)O)(15)(CH(3)OH)(3) clusters. The O-O distances in the mixed methanol-water clusters of (l)-2.3H(2)O.CH(3)OH and (d)-2.3H(2)O.CH(3)OH (O-O(average) = 2.857 A) are nearly identical to the O-O distance observed in the supramolecular (H(2)O)(18) water structure (O-O(average) = 2.859 A) implying the retention of the hydrogen bonded structure in water despite the accommodation of hydrophobic methanol groups within the supramolecular (H(2)O)(15)(CH(3)OH)(3) framework. The O-O distances in (l)-2.3H(2)O.CH(3)OH and (d)-2.3H(2)O.CH(3)OH and in (H(2)O)(18) are very close to the O-O distance reported for liquid water (2.85 A).     

The effects of water vapor on the CH3O2 self-reaction and reaction with HO2

The gas phase reactions of CH3O2 + CH3O2, HO2 + HO2, and CH3O2 + HO2 in the presence of water vapor have been studied at temperatures between 263 and 303 K using laser flash photolysis coupled with UV time-resolved absorption detection at 220 and 260 nm. Water vapor concentrations were quantified using tunable diode laser spectroscopy operating in the mid-IR. The HO2 self-reaction rate constant is significantly enhanced by water vapor, consistent with what others have reported, whereas the CH3O2 self-reaction and the cross-reaction (CH3O2 + HO2) rate constants are nearly unaffected. The enhancement in the HO2 self-reaction rate coefficient occurs because of the formation of a strongly bound (6.9 kcal mol(-1)) HO2 x H2O complex during the reaction mechanism where the H2O acts as an energy chaperone. The nominal impact of water vapor on the CH3O2 self-reaction rate coefficient is consistent with recent high level ab initio calculations that predict a weakly bound CH3O2 x H2O complex (2.3 kcal mol(-1)). The smaller binding energy of the CH3O2 x H2O complex does not favor its formation and consequent participation in the methyl peroxy self-reaction mechanism.     

Surface functionalization of silicon oxide at room temperature and atmospheric pressure

A novel method to derivatize silicon surfaces with 3-mercaptopropylsilane molecules has been developed and optimized. This method is based on an argon flow that increases the evaporation rate of the silane molecules by lowering the partial pressure of the silane molecules in gas phase above the liquid silane, at room temperature. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies of the surfaces showed a dense monolayer coverage as well as hydrolysis of the silane methoxy groups. Atomic force microscopy was used to investigate the roughness of the surfaces after each step of the derivatization process. Since the final surface has a measured surface roughness of 0.19 nm, this method will be especially useful for further synthetic routes and advanced single molecule detection studies of interactions on surfaces as well as improvement of existing conventional techniques for surface derivatization and analysis.     

13C, 18O, and D fractionation effects in the reactions of CH3OH isotopologues with Cl and OH radicals

A relative rate experiment is carried out for six isotopologues of methanol and their reactions with OH and Cl radicals. The reaction rates of CH2DOH, CHD2OH, CD3OH, (13)CH3OH, and CH3(18)OH with Cl and OH radicals are measured by long-path FTIR spectroscopy relative to CH3OH at 298 +/- 2 K and 1013 +/- 10 mbar. The OH source in the reaction chamber is photolysis of ozone to produce O((1)D) in the presence of a large excess of molecular hydrogen: O((1)D) + H2 --> OH + H. Cl is produced by the photolysis of Cl2. The FTIR spectra are fitted using a nonlinear least-squares spectral fitting method with measured high-resolution infrared spectra as references. The relative reaction rates defined as alpha = k(light)/k(heavy) are determined to be: k(OH + CH3OH)/k(OH + (13)CH3OH) = 1.031 +/- 0.020, k(OH + CH3OH)/k(OH + CH3(18)OH) = 1.017 +/- 0.012, k(OH + CH3OH)/k(OH + CH2DOH) = 1.119 +/- 0.045, k(OH + CH3OH)/k(OH + CHD2OH) = 1.326 +/- 0.021 and k(OH + CH3OH)/k(OH + CD3OH) = 2.566 +/- 0.042, k(Cl + CH3OH)/k(Cl + (13)CH3OH) = 1.055 +/- 0.016, k(Cl + CH3OH)/k(Cl + CH3(18)OH) = 1.025 +/- 0.022, k(Cl + CH3OH)/k(Cl + CH2DOH) = 1.162 +/- 0.022 and k(Cl + CH3OH)/k(Cl + CHD2OH) = 1.536 +/- 0.060, and k(Cl + CH3OH)/k(Cl + CD3OH) = 3.011 +/- 0.059. The errors represent 2sigma from the statistical analyses and do not include possible systematic errors. Ground-state potential energy hypersurfaces of the reactions were investigated in quantum chemistry calculations at the CCSD(T) level of theory with an extrapolated basis set. The (2)H, (13)C, and (18)O kinetic isotope effects of the OH and Cl reactions with CH3OH were further investigated using canonical variational transition state theory with small curvature tunneling and compared to experimental measurements as well as to those observed in CH4 and several other substituted methane species.     

Oligo(ethylene glycol) monolayers by silanization of silicon wafers: Real nature and stability

Grafting silicon wafers with CH(3)O(CH(2)CH(2)O)(n)C(3)H(6)-trimethoxysilane and -trichlorosilane (n=6 to 9) was performed in different conditions (solvent, reaction time, washing) in order to select procedures compatible with the design of nanostructured surfaces for biomaterial applications, using electron-beam lithography. After a first screening by principal component analysis (PCA), the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data were analyzed by plotting the carbon to oxygen molar ratio vs the molar ratio of carbon singly bound to oxygen [CO] over carbon bound only to carbon and hydrogen [C(C,H)]. This was found to be a convenient method for discarding samples containing free polymerized silane. Such excess occurred as a result of insufficient washing or unsuitable solvent for the reaction (ether), as confirmed by AFM and thickness measured by X-ray reflectometry. Angle resolved XPS analysis indicated that the grafted silane layer had a 1-2 nm thickness and was covered by a thin layer of adventitious contaminant. As a result, the surface chemical composition obtained covered a broad range (O/C of 0.4 to 1.1; CO/C(C,H) of 2.5 to 6.5); variations could not be related to the nature of the silane reagent and no significant difference was found between hexane and toluene as solvent for the reaction. The grafted silane layer was not stable upon incubation during 24 h in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at 37 degrees C, which mimics biological environments. As a consequence, the grafted wafers did not show protein repellent properties. This alteration was not observed at room temperature. XPS analysis demonstrated that silane layer detachment was due to a hydrolysis within the SiO(2) layer initially present at the wafer surface.     

紫铜表面3-巯丙基三乙氧基硅烷薄膜的制备与耐蚀性能

利用傅里叶变换红外(FTIR)光谱分析了3-巯丙基三乙氧基硅烷分别在酸性和碱性的醇-水溶液中水解后以及在紫铜表面成膜后的结构特征. 利用极化曲线、电化学阻抗谱(EIS)和盐水浸泡实验测试了硅烷膜的耐腐蚀性能. 结果表明: 3-巯丙基三乙氧基硅烷在酸性溶液中能够发生一定程度的水解并生成Si―OH结构, 且当该溶液在自然状态下晾干后, 其水解程度进一步增大. 在碱性溶液中该硅烷只发生少量的水解, 溶液中含有较多SiOCH₂CH₃结构, 且在溶液自然晾干后水解程度也没有明显增大. 由酸性硅烷溶液制得的薄膜中硅烷分子以Si―O―Si 键相互交联的程度比由碱性硅烷溶液制得的薄膜高. 硅烷膜降低了紫铜电极的腐蚀电流密度, 其保护效率分别为90.3%(酸性)和79.2%(碱性). 在3.5% (w) NaCl溶液中浸泡24 h后, 由酸性溶液制得的薄膜表现出更高的阻抗值, 而由碱性溶液制得的薄膜则基本失去了对基底的保护能力.     

A bifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) silane immobilized on metallic oxide-based nanoparticles for conjugation with cell targeting agents

A trifluoroethylester-terminal poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) silane was synthesized and self-assembled on iron oxide nanoparticles. The nanoparticle system thus prepared has the flexibility to conjugate with cell targeting agents via either carboxylic or amine terminal groups for a number of biomedical applications, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and controlled drug delivery. The trifluoroethylester silane was synthesized by modifying a PEG diacid to form the corresponding bistrifluoroethylester (TFEE), followed by a reaction with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS). The APS coupled with PEG chains confers the stability of PEG self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and increases the PEG packing density on nanoparticles by establishing hydrogen bonding between the carbonyl and amine groups present within the monolayer structure. The success of the synthesis of the PEG TEFE silane was confirmed with (1)H NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The conjugating flexibility of the PEG TEFE was demonstrated with folic acid that had carboxylic acid groups and amine terminal groups, respectively, and was confirmed by FTIR. TEM analysis showed the well-dispersed nanoparticles before and after they were coated with PEG and folic acid.     

In vitro stability study of organosilane self-assemble monolayers and multilayers

The stability of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and multilayers formed on silicon surface by amino-terminated silanes and SAMs formed by alkyl and glycidyl terminated silanes were investigated in vitro with saline solution at 37 degrees C for up to 10 days. FTIR and XPS results indicated that amino-terminated SAMs and multilayers are very unstable if the alkyl chain is short ((CH2)3), while stable if the alkyl chain is long ((CH2)11). On the other hand, alkyl-terminated SAMs are very stable regardless of the alkyl chain length, and glycidyl terminated SAM retained approximately 77% of the organosilane molecules after 10 days. Hydrogen bonding between the organosilane monomer and silicon surface and among the organosilane monomers is believed to contribute to the instability of the SAM and multilayer formed by amino-terminated silane with a short alkyl chain ((CH2)3). Therefore, the widely used (3-aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane (APTMS) SAM and multilayer may not be suitable for implantable biomedical applications.     

Reactions in aminosilane-epoxy prepolymer systems. II. Reactions of alkoxysilane groups with or without the presence of water

The hydrolysis and reactions of alkoxy silane groups have been studied on a model compound (TA) prepared from 2 mol of phenyl glycidyl ether and 1 mol of aminopropyl triethoxy silane. At low (40°C) and high (140°C) temperatures, the monomer conversion and the evolution of the molecular mass are followed by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). During the same reaction time, the evolution of the functional groups, hydroxyl CH? OH, ethoxy ? O? C₂H₅, and siloxane Si? O? Si, is observed by FTIR spectroscopy. Without the presence of water, reactions between hydroxyl and ethoxy silane lead to gelation at the end of the reaction. A by-product, probably a cyclic tetramer is also formed. After the hydrolysis, the reaction of the model compound is quite different. The product of reaction is always soluble, even after a treatment at high temperatures, and the evolution of the molecular mass versus the reaction time seems to correspond to the condensation giving a dead cyclic tetramer. From this study it is evident that the curing cycle has a great influence on the properties of the interface of a composite based on a epoxy matrix.     

Weak first-order tilting transition in monolayers of mono- and bipolar docosanol derivatives

A systematic analysis of pressure-area isotherms and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) data of 22-methoxydocosan-1-ol (H3C-O-(CH2)22-OH, MDO), docosan-1-ol (H3C-(CH2)21-OH, DO), and docosyl methyl ether (H3C-(CH2)21-O-CH3, DME) monolayers on pure water between 10 and 35 degrees C is presented. All monolayers form fully condensed phases in the investigated temperature region. The GIXD data reveal that the monolayers exhibit the phase sequence -S at lower temperature and -LS at higher temperature. Phase diagrams have been established. Inserting a second hydrophilic group at the opposite end of the molecule (bipolar MDO) shifts the S/LS boundary to higher temperatures. All monolayers exhibit herringbone (HB) packing at lower temperatures. The "kink" in the isotherms observed at lower temperatures is replaced by a very small plateau region at higher temperatures. The entropy changes connected with this weak first-order tilting transition are much smaller compared with the first-order transition from liquid-expanded (LE) to condensed (LC). Additionally, this transition is endothermic in contrast to the LE/LC transition. The reason for the endothermic transition is the weaker positional correlation in the nontilted state compared with the tilted one. The appearance of the weak first-order endothermic transition can be connected with the changed phase sequence. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements provide information about the polar group orientation. Considerations based on GIXD and XPS data as well as adhesion energy of the different terminal end groups lead to the conclusion that the hydroxyl group of the bipolar MDO is attached to the water surface while the methoxy group is in contact with air. The presented results show that the second hydrophilic group influences the monolayer properties in a mild way.     

Mixed monolayers of Gemini surfactants and stearic acid at the air/water interface

The properties of mixed monolayers composed of the cationic Gemini surfactant ([C(18)H(37)(CH(3))(2)N(+)(CH(2))(3)N(+)(CH(3))(2)C(18)H(37)],2Br(+), abbreviated as 18-3-18,2Br(-1)) and stearic acid (SA) at the air/water interface were investigated by using a Langmuir film balance. The excess areas at the different mixed monolayer compositions were obtained and used to evaluate the miscibility and nonideality of mixing. Due to the electrostatic attractive interactions between 18-3-18,2Br(-1) and SA, the excess areas indicated negative deviations from ideal mixing. Moreover, 18-3-18,2Br(-1) and SA were miscible at the air/water interface, as was confirmed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of the LB films transferred onto mica substrates. The attenuated total reflectance (ATR) infrared spectra showed that SA in the mixed monolayers was ionized completely at a composition X(SA)=0.67 and formed a "cationic-anionic surfactant," i.e., the carboxylate, with 18-3-18,2Br(-1) owing to the electrostatic interaction between the head groups.     

Pd catalysts supported on modified Zr0.5Al0.5O1.75 used for lean-burn natural gas vehicles exhaust purification

Composite supports Zr0.5Al0.5O1.75 modified by metal oxides,such as La2O3,ZnO,Y2O3 or BaO,were prepared by co-precipitation method,and palladium catalysts supported on the modified composite supports were prepared by impregnation method.Their properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),NH3 temperature-programmed desorption(NH3-TPD),H2 temperature-programmed reduction(H2-TPR),N2 adsorption/desorption,and CO-chemisorption.The catalytic activity and the resistance to water poisoning of the prepared Pd catalysts were tested in a simulated exhaust gas from lean-burn natural gas vehicles with and without water vapor.The results demonstrated that the modified supports had an apparent effect on the performance of Pd catalysts,compared with the Pd catalyst supported on the unmodified ZrAl.The addition of ZnO or Y2O3 promoted the conversion of CH4.In the absence of water vapor,Pd/ZnZrAl exhibited the best activity for CH4 conversion with the light-off temperature(T50) of 275℃ and the complete conversion temperature(T90) of 314℃,respectively.However,in the presence of water vapor,Pd/YZrAl was the best one over which the light-off temperature(T50) of methane was 339℃ and the complete conversion temperature(T90) was 371℃.These results indicated that Pd catalyst supported on the modified composite ZrAl support showed excellent catalytic activity at low temperature and high resistance to H2O poisoning for the exhaust purification of lean-burn natural gas vehicles.     

Dynamics of the interaction of vapor-deposited copper with alkanethiolate monolayers: bond insertion, complexation, and penetration pathways

We have investigated the interaction of vapor-deposited copper with -CH3, -OH, -OCH3, -COOH, and -CO2CH3 terminated alkanethiolate self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) adsorbed on polycrystalline Au using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and density functional theory calculations. For -OH, -COOH, and -CO2CH3 terminated SAMs measurements indicate that for all copper coverages there is a competition between Cu atom bond insertion into C-O bonds, stabilization at the SAM/vacuum interface, and penetration to the Au/S interface. In contrast, on a -OCH3 terminated SAM Cu only weakly interacts with the methoxy group and penetrates to the Au substrate, while for a -CH3 terminated SAM deposited copper only penetrates to the Au/S interface. The insertion of copper into C-O terminal group bonds is an activated process. We estimate that the barriers for Cu insertion are 55 +/- 5 kJ mol(-1) for the ester, 50 +/- 5 kJ mol(-1) for the acid, and 55 +/- 5 kJ mol(-1) for the hydroxyl terminated SAMs. The activation barrier for the copper insertion is much higher for the -OCH3 SAM. Copper atoms with energies lower than the activation barrier partition between complexation (weak interaction) with the terminal groups and penetration through the monolayer to the Au/S interface. Weakly stabilized copper atoms at the SAM/vacuum interface slowly penetrate through the monolayer. In contrast to the case of Al deposition, C-O bond insertion is favored over C=O, C-H, and C-C bond insertion.     

Structural and electron-transfer characteristics of carbon-tethered porphyrin monolayers on Si(100)

Structural and electron-transfer characteristics are reported for two classes of zinc porphyrin monolayers attached to Si(100) surfaces via Si-C bonds. One class, designated ZnP(CH(2))(n)- (n = 2-4), contains an alkyl linker appended to the meso-position of the porphyrin, with the nonlinking substituents being p-tolyl groups. The other, designated ZnPPh(CH(2))(n)- (n = 0-3), contains a phenyl or phenylalkyl linker appended to the meso-position of the porphyrin, with the nonlinking substituents being mesityl groups. Both classes of zinc porphyrin monolayers on Si(100) were examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and various electrochemical methods. The studies reveal the following: (1) The structural and electron-transfer characteristics of the ZnP(CH(2))(n)- and ZnPPh(CH(2))(n)- monolayers are generally similar to those of monolayers formed from porphyrins with analogous linkers, but anchored with an O, a S, or a Se atom. (2) The ZnP(CH(2))(n)-, ZnPPh-, and ZnPPhCH(2)- monolayers exhibit lower saturation coverages and have their porphyrin ring more tilted with respect to the surface normal than the ZnPPh(CH(2))(2)- and ZnPPh(CH(2))(3)- monolayers. (3) The electron-transfer rates for both the ZnP(CH(2))(n)- and ZnPPh(CH(2))(n)- classes of monolayers monotonically decrease as the length of the linker increases. (4) For all the ZnP(CH(2))(n)- and ZnPPh(CH(2))(n)- monolayers, both electron-transfer rates and charge-dissipation rates decrease monotonically as the surface coverage increases. Collectively, the studies reported herein provide a detailed picture of how the linker type influences the structural and electron-transfer characteristics of these general classes of monolayers.