Ubiquitous pentacene monolayer on metals deposited onto pentacene films

Photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS and UPS) was used to study the deposition of metal layers (Ag, Cu, and Au) onto pentacene films. Very low work functions were measured (PhiAg = 3.91 eV, PhiCu = 3.93 eV, and PhiAu = 4.3 eV) for all of the metals, in agreement with results from the literature. The intensities of the C 1s core-level signals from pentacene that were monitored during stepwise metal deposition leveled off at a value of about 30% of a thick pentacene film. This C 1s intensity is comparable to that of one monolayer of pentacene deposited onto the respective metal. The valence band spectra of metals deposited onto pentacene and spectra collected for pentacene deposited onto bare metal surfaces are very similar. These findings lead to the conclusion that approximately one monolayer of pentacene is always present on top of the freshly deposited metal film, which explains the very low work function of the metals when they are deposited onto organic films. We expect similar behavior with other nonreactive metals deposited onto stable organic layers.     

Sensitivity of transmission surface plasmon resonance (T-SPR) spectroscopy: self-assembled multilayers on evaporated gold island films

The distance dependence of the localized surface plasmon (SP) extinction of discontinuous gold films is a crucial issue in the application of transmission surface plasmon resonance (T-SPR) spectroscopy to chemical and biological sensing. This derives from the usual sensing configuration, whereby an analyte binds to a selective receptor layer on the gold film at a certain distance from the metal surface. In the present work the distance sensitivity of T-SPR spectroscopy of 1.0-5.0 nm (nominal thickness) gold island films evaporated on silanized glass substrates is studied by using coordination-based self-assembled multilayers, offering thickness tuning in the range from approximately 1 to approximately 15 nm. The morphology, composition and optical properties of the Au/multilayer systems were studied at each step of multilayer construction. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) showed no apparent change in the underlying Au islands, while atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicated flattening of the surface topography during multilayer construction. A regular growth mode of the organic layers was substantiated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Transmission UV-visible spectra showed an increase of the extinction and a red shift of the maximum of the SP band upon addition of organic layers, establishing the distance dependence of the Au SP absorbance. The distance sensitivity of T-SPR spectroscopy can be varied by using characteristic substrate parameters, that is, Au nominal thickness and annealing. In particular, effective sensitivity up to a distance of at least 15 nm is demonstrated with 5 nm annealed Au films. It is shown that intensity measurements, particularly in the plasmon intensity change (PIC) presentation, provide an alternative to the usually measured plasmon band position, offering good accuracy and the possibility of measuring at a single wavelength. The present distance sensitivity results provide the basis for further development of T-SPR transducers based on receptor-coated Au island films.     

Enzymatic nanolithography of a self-assembled oligonucleotide monolayer on gold

This paper describes a simple strategy to biochemically manipulate a surface at the nanoscale by enzyme dip-pen nanolithography using an endonuclease (DNase I) that is directly patterned on a self-assembled monolayer presenting a terminal oligonucleotide. Physisorbed nanopatterns of DNase I carried out nanoscale enzymology at the surface creating oligonucleotide patterns with the fidelity of the patterned enzyme because of the affinity of the enzyme for the immobilized, oligonucleotide substrate.     

Molecular wiring of nanocrystals: NCS-enhanced cross-surface charge transfer in self-assembled Ru-complex monolayer on mesoscopic oxide films

We report on rapid ambipolar cross-surface charge transfer within self-assembled monolayers (SAM) of the heteroleptic Ru-complexes cis-RuLL'(NCS)(2) (L = 2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid, L' = 4,4'-dinonyl-2,2'-bipyridyl) (1) and cis-RuLL' '(NCS)(2) (L = 2,2'-bipyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid, L' = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridyl) (2) on the surface of mesoscopic insulating oxide films. The bipyridyl ligands of the Ru-complex transport electrons, while the NCS groups plays a pivotal role in mediating surface confined hole percolation. Molecular dynamics calculations show the NCS ligands of 1 and 2 to orient in a fashion that enhances the overlap of the HOMOs of neighboring ruthenium complexes. Using ab initio Hartree-Fock calculations the electronic coupling matrix element for intermolecular hole exchange at the surface is estimated to be 0.13 eV. Cyclic voltammetry as well as spectroelectrochemical and impedance measurements performed with a series of other Ru-complexes confirmed the control of the cross surface charge transfer by the molecular structure. Complex 2 shows the highest percolation rate, the surface hole diffusion coefficient being 1.1 x 10(-8) cm(2)/s. The effects of the ligand properties, such as denticity, geometry, and size, on the intermolecular charge transport are discussed in detail.     

Stereo-electrochemistry by a self-assembled monolayer of sulfur-bridged calixthiophene on gold

Sulfur-bridged calixthiophene formed a self-assembled mono-molecular layer on polycrystalline gold, and it regulated an electrochemical electron transfer by the host–guest interaction between the cavity and reactants. 1,7,13,19,25-Tetrathia[1.₅](2,5)thiophenophane (thiacalix[5]thiophene) perfectly passivated the gold electrode for relatively large reversible metal complexes: [Fe(CN)₆]^4−/3− and [IrCl₆]^3−/2−. However, for mono-atomic ions, such as silver and some of the halogen ions, the electrode behaved reversibly. For copper reduction, a large activation overpotential was observed to induce an initial copper reduction in the cavity.     

Two-dimensional crystal structure of a quaterthiophene-alkanethiol self-assembled monolayer on gold

We investigated the fine structure of a self-assembled monolayer of dodecanethiol functionalized by alpha-quaterthiophene on gold (alpha-4TC 12H 24SH). The molecular orientation, quantified using polarization modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy, was studied as a function of the adsorption time. The alpha-4T moieties arrange in the upright position on the surface as the adsorption time increases, while the alkyl chain organization remains poor. Here we quantify the orientation of the self-assembled monolayer and, more significantly, reveal through surface X-ray diffraction that after a long incubation period (12 h) the alpha-4T on the gold surface adopts a 2D crystal structure.     

Photochemical patterning of a self-assembled monolayer of 7-diazomethylcarbonyl-2,4,9-trithiaadmantane on gold films via Wolff rearrangement

Photolithographic attachment of functional organic molecules via ester or amide linkages to self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold thin films was achieved by employing a novel photoreactive surface anchor, 7-diazomethylcarbonyl-2,4,9-trithiaadmantane. The photoreactive SAM was prepared by the spontaneous physical adsorption of the photoreactive surface anchor onto gold surfaces. The alpha-diazo ketone moiety of the SAM was found to display the classical Wolff rearrangement reactivity to produce a ketene intermediate on the exposed area. Organic molecules such as alcohols and amines can thus be attached to the gold surfaces selectively by the facile in situ formation of ester or amide linkages. The structure and reactivity of the photoreactive surface anchor were characterized by real-time FT-IR, fluorescence, and polarization modulation infrared reflectance absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS). The Wolff rearrangement reactivity of the SAM suggested that a "surface-isolated" carbonylcarbene may be generated when the SAM was exposed to 255-nm irradiation.     

Interaction of mono- and diisocyanoazulenes with gold surfaces: first examples of self-assembled monolayer films involving azulenic scaffolds

The formation and properties of a new class of self-assembled monolayers (SAM) of aryl isocyanides and diisocyanides based on the nonbenzenoid azulenic framework have been investigated using FTIR spectroscopy and ellipsometry. Syntheses of several new members of the isocyanoazulene family, a recently established type of aryl isocyanides, are reported as well. The FTIR spectra for the isocyanoazulene derivatives absorbed on the gold surface indicate the terminal upright coordination of every isocyanoazulene molecule studied. In addition, the ellipsometric thicknesses have been measured and are consistent with those calculated for single monolayers of the isocyanides oriented along the surface normal. Unlike SAMs of some benzenoid aryl isocyanides, the nonbenzenoid isocyanoazule-based SAMs proved resistant to oxidation, oligomerization, and isomerization into the corresponding nitriles under ambient conditions, which is an important prerequisite to their future applications.     

The nature of alkanethiol self-assembled monolayer adsorption on sputtered gold substrates

A detailed study of the self-assembly and coverage by 1-nonanethiol of sputtered Au surfaces using molecular resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is presented. The monolayer self-assembles on a smooth Au surface composed predominantly of [111] oriented grains. The domains of the alkanethiol monolayer are observed with sizes typically of 5-25 nm, and multiple molecular domains can exist within one Au grain. STM imaging shows that the (4 x 2) superlattice structure is observed as a (3 x 2) structure when imaged under noncontact AFM conditions. The 1-nonanethiol molecules reside in the threefold hollow sites of the Au[111] lattice and aligned along its [112] lattice vectors. The self-assembled monolayer (SAM) contains many nonuniformities such as pinholes, domain boundaries, and monatomic depressions which are present in the Au surface prior to SAM adsorption. The detailed observations demonstrate limitations to the application of 1-nonanethiol as a resist in atomic nanolithography experiments to feature sizes of approximately 20 nm.     

Self-assembled diisocyanide monolayer films on gold and palladium

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of the aromatic diisocyanides, 1,4-phenylenediisocyanide, 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-phenylenediisocyanide, 4,4'-biphenyldiisocyanide, 3,3',5,5'-tetramethyl-4,4'-biphenyldiisocyanide, and 4,4' '-p-terphenyldiisocyanide, were prepared on gold and palladium surfaces. The SAMs were characterized by ellipsometry, polarization-modulated infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS), and grazing-angle attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (GATR). Based on the position of the metal-coordinated isocyanide stretching band, the SAMs on gold were found to bind in the terminal (eta(1)) geometry, while the SAMs on palladium prefer a different geometry which is possibly a triply bridging (mu(3)-eta(1)) geometry. A side-reaction of the unbound isocyanide in the SAM was identified as oxidation to an isocyanate group.     

Electroanalytical performance of self-assembled monolayer gold electrode for chloramphenicol determination

Monolayers of 2-mercapto-5-methylbenzimidazole (MMB) were prepared on a polycrystalline gold electrode via a self-assembly process to produce a self-assembled monolayer. The resulting electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and applied to the determination of chloramphenicol (CAP) in a pharmaceutical formulation using flow injection analysis along with amperometric detection. The amperometric cell was operated at ?0.75 V (vs Ag/AgCl) at a flow rate of 3 mL min^?1. The method was applied to the determination of CAP in ophthalmic solutions, and its performance was compared to a previously validated HPLC method. The response to CAP is linear in the range from 0.050 to 1.000 µmol L^?1 (r?=?0.9990), and the limit of detection is 44 µmol L^?1.     

硫辛酸在金电极上自组装成膜动力学研究

自组装单层膜 (ＳＡＭ)应用广泛[1～ 3] 。但对于硫辛酸 (ＴＡ)自组装成膜动力学过程的研究尚未见报道。本研究利用石英晶体微天平 (ＱＣＭ)对ＴＡ自组装成膜过程进行在线监测 ,研究成膜动力学特征 ,并探讨浓度、温度对成膜过程的影响 ,以及在不同ｐＨ值下 ,ＳＡＭ的稳定性 ,推算了不同温度下的速率常数及成膜的活化能。1　实验部分1 1　基本原理通过监测成膜过程中石英晶体微天平 (ＱＣＭ)的振荡频率的变化 ,据Ｓａｕｅｒｂｒｅｙ方程 ,可推知在石英谐振器 (ＱＣＭ)的金电极表面 ,ＴＡ的吸附质量Γ(Γ =Δｍ Ａ ,ｇ ｃｍ2 )与ＱＣＭ的频率…     

Inkjet-printed thiol self-assembled monolayer structures on gold: quality control and microarray electrode fabrication

Laterally structured, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of different thiols (HS-R-X, R = (CH 2) 3-16, X = -CH 3, -COOH, -NH 2) on gold have been prepared by inkjet printing. The printer is a modified, low-cost desktop printer (Epson Stylus Photo R200), the ink is a 1 mM solution of the thiol in ethanol/glycerol (6:1). The quality of inkjet-printed large area SAMs obtained in this study is between that of a layer self-assembled from a thiol solution and that obtained by soft lithography, according to cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), and polarization-modulated Fourier transform infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM IRRAS). For the first time, simultaneous printing of two different thiols in a single print job as an alternative to sequential printing and backfilling is demonstrated. The smallest structures consisting of conductive disks of 40 microm diameter were analyzed as single spots by SECM and as random array electrodes with different average disk-disk distance. Conductive band electrodes with variable bandwidth (300 microm to 1 cm) are presented, as well as a pH switchable band structure. As compared to stamping, inkjet printing allows for simultaneous multiple thiol printing in a single print job with the resolution limited only by the droplet size and the precision of the translation stage.     

Enzymatic fabrication of DNA nanostructures: extension of a self-assembled oligonucleotide monolayer on gold arrays

Nucleic acid nanostructures are useful as templates for bionanofabrication of composite molecular nanostructures in materials science, molecular electronics, and biosensing. Here, we demonstrate that terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, which repetitively adds mononucleotides to the 3' end of a short DNA initiator, can be used to rapidly fabricate DNA nanostructures up to 121 nm high with lateral dimensions from 0.1 to 4 mum in 2 h. These programmable scaffolds can potentially be employed to build more complex nanostructures consisting of natural or unnatural nucleotides with selective docking sites along the single-stranded DNA.     

Protein recognition by a self-assembled deep cavitand monolayer on a gold substrate

This paper details the first use of a self-folding deep cavitand on a gold surface. A sulfide-footed deep, self-folding cavitand has been synthesized, and its attachment to a cleaned gold surface studied by electrochemical and SPR methods. Complete monolayer formation is possible if the cavitand folding is templated by noncovalent binding of choline or by addition of space-filling thiols to cover any gaps in the cavitand adsorption layer. The cavitand is capable of binding trimethylammonium-tagged guests from an aqueous medium and can be deposited in 2 × 2 microarrays on the surface for characterization by SPR imaging techniques. When biotin-labeled guests are used, the cavitand:guest construct can recognize and immobilize streptavidin proteins from aqueous solution, acting as an effective supramolecular biosensor for monitoring protein recognition.     

Molecular orientation and film morphology of pentacene on native silicon oxide surface

The growth morphology and mechanism of pentacene films on native Si oxide surface have been studied by using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Despite the good agreement between our own and the reported XRD results, the previous XRD interpretation that the pentacene molecules are tilt-standing on the substrate cannot explain our HREELS data. The HREELS results show that a substantial portion of the first two layers of pentacene molecules are tilted-standing or randomly oriented, whereas the upper-layer molecules are mostly lying flat to the substrate. AFM reveals that the first two layers of molecules form a flat and smooth surface, but the upper layers show a rough terrace structure with a mean-square roughness equal to the average thickness (without counting the first two layers). This relationship is explained by a theoretical model which assumes the pentacene molecules to remain on a particular molecule layer after arrival. The observed film growth morphology may have significant implication on the performance of electronic devices based on pentacene thin films. A plausible explanation was proposed for the discrepancy between the HREELS-indicated and the XRD-derived molecular orientations.     

偶氮苯衍生物自组装单分子膜中的分子取响

利用反射红外光谱研究了金表面一系列具有不同碳链长度的偶氮苯巯基衍生物的自组装单分子膜.通过对比各向同性样品的透射谱和单分子膜的反射谱中各个吸收峰强度,定量地研究了分子中各部分的取向与分子结构的关系.我们分别提出了烷基链和偶氮基团取向计算的方法,利用该方法成功地求得了分子中各部分在膜的倾角.结果显示,当分子中烷基链长度增大时,碳链和偶氮苯基团相对于法线的倾斜逐渐加剧.这种倾角的变化归因于分子中碳链间范德华引力增大时,引起分子逐渐倾斜以达到最佳的范德华接触.同时研究发现,烷基链和偶氮基团受碳长度变化的影响并不相同.当分子中亚甲基数目增多时,烷基链的倾角迅速增大而偶氮苯倾角的增大则相对缓慢,这反映了它们在空间需求和本身刚性上的不同。     

Development of a myoglobin impedimetric immunosensor based on mixed self-assembled monolayer onto gold

Immunosensors rely on antibody-antigen binding with a range of possible detection methodologies. In this study, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to monitor the sensor surface assembly and recognition of the analyte (myoglobin). Myoglobin is rapidly released into the circulatory system after an acute myocardial infarction and rapidly rising levels make it the first biochemical marker of myocardial damage. The immunosensor fabrication steps comprised the steps of (a) formation of mixed self-assembled monolayers (mSAM) on gold electrodes using a mixture of biotinyl-phospholipid and mer captohexadecanoic acid; (b) neutravidin functionalisation and (c) attachment of biotinyl anti-myoglobin antibodies. A range of analyte concentration (10⁻¹²–10⁻⁶ M) was successfully detected in phosphate buffered saline and in serum concentration ranging from 10% (v/v) to 100% (v/v) serum. Quartz crystal microbalance and atomic force microscopy studies were carried out to study each step of fabrication to elucidate binding characteristics and surface topography. Correspondence: Morsaline Billah, Institute of Membrane and Systems Biology, Garstang Building, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom     

Voltammetric investigation of cytochrome c on gold coated with a self-assembled glutathione monolayer

The direct, reversible electrochemistry of horse-heart cytochrome c (cyt. c) was realized on a self-assembled glutathione (GSH) monolayer modified Au electrode. The voltammetric responses of cyt. c on GSH/Au electrode were found to be affected by pH during the electrode modification, metal ions and surfactants. Using potassium ferricyanide [K4Fe(CN)6] as a probe, these effects on the voltammetric responses of cyt. c were characterized by electrochemical methods. It was found that the pH during the electrode modification, metallic ions and surfactants changed GSH monolayer's charge state and the conformation on the electrode surface, and resulted in the influence on the voltammetric responses of cyt. c. The experimental results provided us information to understand the mechanism of the interfacial electron transfer of electrode-protein, as well as the electron transfer of cyt. c in life system.