Tandem "click" reactions at acetylene-terminated Si(100) monolayers

We demonstrate a simple method for coupling alkynes to alkynes. The method involves tandem azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions ("click" chemistry) for the immobilization of 1-alkyne species onto an alkyne modified surface in a one-pot procedure. In the case presented, these reactions take place on a nonoxidized Si(100) surface although the approach is general for linking alkynes to alkynes. The applicability of the method in the preparation of electrically well-behaved functionalized surfaces is demonstrated by coupling an alkyne-tagged ferrocene species onto alkyne-terminated Si(100) surfaces. The utility of the approach in biotechnology is shown by constructing a DNA sensing interface by derivatization of the acetylenyl surface with commercially available alkyne-tagged oligonucleotides. Cyclic voltametry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray reflectometry are used to characterize the coupling reactions and performance of the final modified surfaces. These data show that this synthetic protocol gives chemically well-defined, electronically well-behaved, and robust (bio)functionalized monolayers on silicon semiconducting surfaces.     

A non-oxidative approach toward chemically and electrochemically functionalizing Si(111)

A general method for the non-oxidative functionalization of single-crystal silicon(111) surfaces is described. The silicon surface is fully acetylenylated using two-step chlorination/alkylation chemistry. A benzoquinone-masked primary amine is attached to this surface via Cu(I)-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition ("click" chemistry). The benzoquinone is electrochemically reduced, resulting in quantitative cleavage of the molecule and exposing the amine terminus. Molecules presenting a carboxylic acid have been immobilized to the exposed amine sites. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and contact angle goniometry were utilized to characterize and quantitate each step in the functionalization process. This work represents a strategy for providing a general platform that can incorporate organic and biological molecules on Si(111) with minimal oxidation of the silicon surface.     

Ennobling an old molecule: thiazyl trifluoride (N≡SF3), a versatile synthon for Xe-N bond formation

The fields of sulfur-nitrogen-fluorine chemistry and noble-gas chemistry have been significantly extended by the syntheses and characterizations of four new Xe-N-bonded cations derived from N≡SF(3). The adduct-cation, F(3)S≡NXeF(+), has provided the entry point to a significant chemistry through HF solvolysis of the coordinated N≡SF(3) ligand and HF-catalyzed and solid-state rearrangements of F(3)S≡NXeF(+). The HF solvolyses of [F(3)S≡NXeF][AsF(6)] in anhydrous HF (aHF) and aHF/BrF(5) solutions yield the F(4)S═NXe(+) cation, which likely arises from an HF-catalyzed mechanism. The F(4)S═NXe(+) cation, in turn, undergoes HF displacement to form F(4)S═NH(2)(+) and XeF(2), as well as HF addition to the S═N bond to form F(5)SN(H)Xe(+). Both cations undergo further solvolyses in aHF to form the F(5)SNH(3)(+) cation. The F(4)S═NXe(+) and F(4)S═NH(2)(+) cations were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction and exhibit high barriers to rotation about their S═N double bonds. They are the first cations known to contain the F(4)S═N- group and significantly extend the chemistry of this ligand. The solid-state rearrangement of [F(3)S≡NXeF][AsF(6)] at 22 °C has yielded [F(4)S═NXe][AsF(6)], which was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, providing the first examples of xenon bonded to an imido nitrogen and of the F(4)S═N- group bonded to a noble-gas element. The rearrangement of [F(3)S≡NXeF][AsF(6)] in a N≡SF(3) solution at 0 °C also yielded [F(4)S═NXe?N≡SF(3)][AsF(6)], which represents a rare example of a N?Xe?N linkage and the first to be characterized by X-ray crystallography. Solvolysis of N≡SF(3) in aHF was previously shown to give the primary amine F(5)SNH(2), whereas solvolysis in the superacid medium, AsF(5)/aHF, results in amine protonation to give [F(5)SNH(3)][AsF(6)]. Complete structural characterizations were not available for either species. Isolation of F(5)SNH(2)·nHF from the reaction of N≡SF(3) with HF has provided a structural characterization of F(5)SNH(2) by Raman spectroscopy. Crystal growth by sublimation of F(5)SNH(2)·nHF at -30 to -40 °C has resulted in the X-ray crystal structure of F(5)SNH(2)·2[F(5)SNH(3)][HF(2)]·4HF and structural characterizations of F(5)SNH(2) and F(5)SNH(3)(+). The redox decomposition of [F(4)S═NXe?N≡SF(3)][AsF(6)] in N≡SF(3) at 0 °C generated Xe, cis-N(2)F(2), and [F(3)S(N≡SF(3))(2)][AsF(6)].     

Different functionalization of the internal and external surfaces in mesoporous materials for biosensing applications using "click" chemistry

We report the use of copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition reaction (CuAAC) to selectively functionalize the internal and external surfaces of mesoporous materials. Porous silicon rugate filters with narrow line width reflectivity peaks were employed to demonstrate this selective surface functionalization approach. Hydrosilylation of a dialkyne species, 1,8-nonadiyne, was performed to stabilize the freshly fabricated porous silicon rugate filters against oxidation and to allow for further chemical derivatization via "click" CuAAC reactions. The external surface was modified through CuAAC reactions performed in the absence of nitrogen-based Cu(I)-stabilizing species (i.e., ligand-free reactions). To subsequently modify the interior pore surface, stabilization of the Cu(I) catalyst was required. Optical reflectivity measurements, water contact angle measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to demonstrate the ability of the derivatization approach to selectively modify mesoporous materials with different surface chemistry on the exterior and interior surfaces. Furthermore, porous silicon rugate filters modified externally with the cell-adhesive peptide Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (GRGDS) allowed for cell adhesion via formation of focal adhesion points. Results presented here demonstrate a general approach to selectively modify mesoporous silicon samples with potential applications for cell-based biosensing.     

Detecting the chemoselective ligation of peptides to silicon with the use of cobalt-carbonyl labels

While fluorescent-based methods are generally used to detect the immobilization and the interactions of biomolecules to solid supports, recent studies have shown their limitations in the case of silicon surfaces. As an alternative, we investigated the synthesis of peptides labeled with a metal transition complex and their subsequent immobilization to the silicon surfaces. The feasibility of using such probes has been explored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). By starting with hydrogen-terminated or oxidized silicon surfaces, we functionalized those surfaces with semicarbazide groups and showed the site-specific linkage of glyoxylyl peptides labeled with a Co2(CO)6 moiety.     

Protection of lithium metal surfaces using chlorosilanes

In this paper, we present a new approach for protecting metallic lithium surfaces based on a reaction between the thin native layer of lithium hydroxide present on the surface and various chlorosilane derivatives. The chemical composition of the resulting layer and the chemistry involved in layer formation were analyzed by polarization modulated infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Spectroscopy shows the disappearance of surface hydroxide groups and the appearance of silicon and chloride on the lithium surface. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) show that this surface treatment protects the lithium from certain gas-phase reactions and is ionically conductive.     

Silicon surfaces as electron acceptors: dative bonding of amines with Si(001) and Si(111) surfaces.

The bonding of the trimethylamine (TMA) and dimethylamine (DMA) with crystalline silicon surfaces has been investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and density-functional computational methods. XPS spectra show that TMA forms stable dative-bonded adducts on both Si(001) and Si(111) surfaces that are characterized by very high N(1s) binding energies of 402.2 eV on Si(001) and 402.4 eV on Si(111). The highly ionic nature of these adducts is further evidenced by comparison with other charge-transfer complexes and through computational chemistry studies. The ability to form these highly ionic charge-transfer complexes between TMA and silicon surfaces stems from the ability to delocalize the donated electron density between different types of chemically distinct atoms within the surface unit cells. Corresponding studies of DMA on Si(001) show only dissociative adsorption via cleavage of the N-H bond. These results show that the unique geometric structures present on silicon surfaces permit silicon atoms to act as excellent electron acceptors.     

亚硫酸根离子在硅和二氧化硅的湿法腐蚀中的作用

运用光刻技术和原子力显微技术(AFM)研究了亚硫酸根离子对硅和二氧化硅在40％(w)氟化铵水溶液中腐蚀速率的影响.结果表明硅和二氧化硅的腐蚀速率和亚硫酸根离子浓度有关.高分辨X射线光电子能谱(XPS)分析在有/没有亚硫酸根的溶液中腐蚀后的硅和二氧化硅表面氟元素的结果表明在这两种溶液中腐蚀得到的表面化学成分是有差别的.实验结果证明亚硫酸根离子在硅和二氧化硅的湿腐蚀中不只是表现为一种除氧剂，还干预了表面腐蚀反应过程.     

Functionalization of acetylene-terminated monolayers on Si(100) surfaces: a click chemistry approach

In this article, we report the functionalization of alkyne-terminated alkyl monolayers on Si(100) using "click" chemistry, specifically, the Cu(I)-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azides with surface-bound alkynes. Covalently immobilized, structurally well-defined acetylene-terminated organic monolayers were prepared from a commercially available terminal diyne species using a one-step hydrosilylation procedure. Subsequent derivatization of the alkyne-terminated monolayers in aqueous environments with representative azide species via a selective, reliable, robust cycloaddition process afforded disubstituted surface-bound [1,2,3]-triazole species. Neither activation procedures nor protection/deprotection steps were required, as is the case with more established grafting approaches for silicon surfaces. Detailed characterization using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray reflectometry demonstrated that the surface acetylenes had reacted in moderate to high yield to give surfaces exposing alkyl chains, oligoether anti-fouling moieties, and functionalized aromatic structures. These results demonstrate that click immobilization offers a versatile, experimentally simple, chemically unambiguous modular approach to producing modified silicon surfaces with organic functionality for applications as diverse as biosensors and molecular electronics.     

Formation of primary amines on silicon nitride surfaces: a direct, plasma-based pathway to functionalization

Silicon nitride is the most commonly used passivation layer in biosensor applications where electronic components must be interfaced with ionic solutions. Unfortunately, the predominant method for functionalizing silicon nitride surfaces, silane chemistry, suffers from a lack of reproducibility. As an alternative, we have developed a silane-free pathway that allows for the direct functionalization of silicon nitride through the creation of primary amines formed by exposure to a radio frequency glow discharge plasma fed with humidified air. The aminated surfaces can then be further functionalized by a variety of methods; here we demonstrate using glutaraldehyde as a bifunctional linker to attach a robust NeutrAvidin (NA) protein layer. Optimal amine formation, based on plasma exposure time, was determined by labeling treated surfaces with an amine-specific fluorinated probe and characterizing the coverage using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS and radiolabeling studies also reveal that plasma-modified surfaces, as compared with silane-modified surfaces, result in similar NA surface coverage, but notably better reproducibility.     

Copper-free click biofunctionalization of silicon nitride surfaces via strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition reactions

Cu-free "click" chemistry is explored on silicon nitride (Si(3)N(4)) surfaces as an effective way for oriented immobilization of biomolecules. An ω-unsaturated ester was grafted onto Si(3)N(4) using UV irradiation. Hydrolysis followed by carbodiimide-mediated activation yielded surface-bound active succinimidyl and pentafluorophenyl ester groups. These reactive surfaces were employed for the attachment of bicyclononyne with an amine spacer, which subsequently enabled room temperature strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC). This stepwise approach was characterized by means of static water contact angle, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. The surface-bound SPAAC reaction was studied with both a fluorine-tagged azide and an azide-linked lactose, yielding hydrophobic and bioactive surfaces for which the presence of trace amounts of Cu ions would have been problematic. Additionally, patterning of the Si(3)N(4) surface using this metal-free click reaction with a fluorescent azide is shown. These results demonstrate the ability of the SPAAC as a generic tool for anchoring complex molecules onto a surface under extremely mild, namely ambient and metal-free, conditions in a clean and relatively fast manner.     

Disubstituted polyacetylene brushes grown via surface-directed tungsten-catalyzed polymerization

Disubstituted polyacetylene brushes were grown from modified silicon and quartz surfaces using a transition metal-catalyzed polymerization technique employing tungsten hexachloride/tetraphenyl tin (WCl6/Ph4Sn). The substrate surfaces were initially functionalized with terminal alkyne functional groups by using an alkyne-functionalized silane, O-(propagyloxy)-N-(triethoxysilylpropyl) urethane, as a surface coupling agent. Surface polymerization of 5-decyne under microwave irradiation at 150 degrees C for 30 min was performed on the functional surfaces to produce surfaces consisting of grafted poly(1,2-dibutylacetylene) brushes. The alkyne-functionalized and polymer-coated surfaces were characterized using surface contact angle measurements, film thickness measurements, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectrometer measurements were performed to analyze the surfaces at each step of the modification process. This simple technique demonstrates a novel way of synthesizing a poly(1,2-dibutylacetylene) brush layer on silicon substrate, and it has future potential in the fabrication of selectively functionalized surfaces on the nanoscale via this new synthetic approach.     

Formation of tetra(ethylene oxide) terminated Si-C linked monolayers and their derivatization with glycine: an example of a generic strategy for the immobilization of biomolecules on silicon

Surface modification with oligo(ethylene oxide) functionalized monolayers terminated with reactive headgroups constitutes a powerful strategy to provide specific coupling of biomolecules with simultaneous protection from nonspecific adsorption on surfaces for the preparation of biorecognition interfaces. To date, oligo(ethylene oxide) functionalized monolayer-forming molecules which can be activated for attachment of biomolecules but which can selectively form monolayers onto hydrogen terminated silicon have yet to be developed. Here, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) containing tetra(ethylene oxide) moieties protected with tert-butyl dimethylsilyl groups were formed by thermal hydrosilylation of alkenes with single-crystal Si(111)-H. The protection group was used to avoid side reactions with the hydride terminated silicon surface. Monolayer formation was carried out using solutions of the alkene in the high-boiling-point solvent 1,3,5-triethylbenzene. The protecting group was removed under very mild acidic conditions to yield a free hydroxyl functionality, a convenient surface moiety for coupling of biological entities via carbamate bond formation. The chemical composition and structure of the monolayers before and after deprotection were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray reflectometry. To demonstrate the utility of this surface for covalent modification, two reagents were compared and contrasted for their ability to activate the surface hydroxyl groups for coupling of free amines, carbonyl diimidazole (CDI), and disuccinimidyl carbonate (DSC). Analysis of XP spectra before and after activation by CDI or DSC, and after subsequent reaction with glycine, provided quantitative information on the extent of activation and overall coupling efficiencies. CDI activated surfaces gave poor coupling yields under various conditions, whereas DSC mediated activation followed by aminolysis at neutral pH was found to be an efficient method for the immobilization of amines on tetra(ethylene oxide) modified surfaces.     

In situ synthesis of oligonucleotide arrays by using surface tension

This work describes the in situ synthesis of oligonucleotide arrays on glass surfaces. These arrays are composed of features defined and separated by differential surface tension (surface tension arrays). Specifically, photolithographic methods were used to create a series of spatially addressable, circular features containing an amino-terminated organosilane coupled to the glass through a siloxane linkage. Each feature is bounded by a perfluorosilanated surface. The differences in surface energies between the features and surrounding zones allow for chemical reactions to be readily localized within a defined site. The aminosilanation process was analyzed using contact angle, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and time-of-flight/secondary ion mass spectroscopy (TOF-SIMS). The efficiency of phosphoramidite-based oligonucleotide synthesis on these surface tension arrays was measured by two methods. One method, termed step-yields-by-hybridization, indicates an average synthesis efficiency for all four (A,G,C,T) bases of 99.9 +/- 1.1%. Step yields measured for the individual amidite bases showed efficiencies of 98.8% (dT), 98.0% (dA), 97.0% (dC), and 97.6% (dG). The second method for determining the amidite coupling efficiencies was by capillary electrophoresis (CE) analysis. Homopolymers of dT (40- and 60mer), dA (40mer), and dC (40mer) were synthesized on an NH(4)OH labile linkage. After cleavage, the products were analyzed by CE. Synthesis efficiencies were calculated by comparison of the full-length product peak with the failure peaks. The calculated coupling efficiencies were 98.8% (dT), 96.8% (dA), and 96.7% (dC).     

Direct Electrochemistry of Cytochrome c at Modified Si(100) Electrodes

This paper demonstrates the direct electron transfer between the heme moiety of horse hearth cytochrome c and a pyridinyl group on self‐assembled‐monolayer‐modified Si(100) electrodes. Self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) containing the putative receptor ligand were prepared by a step‐wise procedure using “click” reactions of acetylene‐terminated alkyl monolayers and isonicotinic acid azide derivatives. Unoxidized Si(100) electrodes, possessing either isonicotinate or isonicotinamide receptor ligands, were characterized using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, contact‐angle goniometry, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The ability of isonicotinic acid terminated layers to coordinatively bind the redox center of cytochrome c was found to be restricted to pyridinyl assemblies with a para‐ester linkage present. The protocol detailed here offers an experimentally simple modular approach to producing chemically well‐defined SAMs on silicon surfaces for direct electrochemistry of a well‐studied model redox protein.     

Synthesis of a hybrid assembly composed of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and thin multi-walled carbon nanotubes using "click chemistry"

A hybrid assembly composed of thin multi-walled carbon nanotubes (t-MWCNT) and titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) has been prepared by using "click" chemistry for photocatalytic applications. TiO(2)-decorated t-MWCNT hybrids with anatase phase TiO(2) were obtained from the reaction of an azide moiety-containing TiO(2) with alkyne-functionalized t-MWCNTs. The hybrids were systematically characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The nanohybrid has been proved to be highly active and robust for photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. The click coupling approach is a simple and convenient route to efficiently assemble TiO(2) on the surface of carbon nanotubes, and can be extended to obtain many other nanoparticle hybrids based on carbon nanotubes.     

Surface Characterisation of Silicon Based MEMS

Polysilicon Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are the subject of intensive researches. Surface chemistry and topography of a MEMS test structure fabricated at Sandia National Laboratory, USA, were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atom-ic force microscopy(AFM). XPS C1, and Si2p spectra from the polysilicon components, silicon nitride sub-strate and a reference silicon wafer were compared. The results confirm the presence of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on the MEMS surface. An island-like morphology was found on both polysilicon and sili-con nitride surfaces of the MEMS. The islands take the form of caps, being up to 0. 5 μm in diameter and 20 nm in height. It is concluded that the co-existence of columnar growth and equiaxed growth during the low pressure chemical vapor deposition(LPCVD) of these layers leads to the observed morphology and the is-lands are caps to the columnar structures.     

Surface modification of silicate glass using 3-(mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane for thiol-ene polymerization

A thiol-ene polymerization was accomplished on silicate glass slides to graft a series of homopolymers and copolymers using 3-(mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MTS) as both a silane coupling agent and initiator. MTS was initially covalently bonded to an acid cleaned glass surface via a classical sol-gel reaction. Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), poly(acrylamide) (PAAm), poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), poly(acrylamido-2-methyl-propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS), and the copolymer poly(AA-co-AAm-co-MA-co-AMPS) were grafted from the thiol group of MTS. The surface chemistry of the MTS modified slides and polymer grafts was characterized with attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Surface texture was evaluated with tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TM-AFM). The Owens-Wendt-Kaelble (OWK) and Lifshitz-van der Waals acid-base (LW-AB) methods were used to evaluate surface energies by sessile drop contact angle method. The synthetic approach demonstrated a facile, rapid method for grafting to glass surfaces.     

Application of direct covalent molecular assembly in the fabrication of polyimide ultrathin films

Ultrathin films were fabricated using synthesized hydroxyl polyimide (HPI) in a layer-by-layer fashion on amine-terminated substrates of silicon, quartz, and gold. The interlayer linkages were established by using terephthaloyl chloride as a bridging agent to form ester groups between HPI layers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, ellipsometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were employed to study the interfacial chemistry, stepwise growth, morphology, thickness, optical property, and insulation behavior of the assembled film. The films show excellent stability and strength, which can be attributed to the covalent interlayer linkage.     

Photochemical grafting and patterning of organic monolayers on indium tin oxide substrates

Covalently attached organic layers on indium tin oxide (ITO) surfaces were prepared by the photochemical grafting with 1-alkenes. The surface modification was monitored with static water contact angle, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. Hydrophobic methyl-terminated ITO surfaces can be obtained via the grafting of tetradec-1-ene, whereas the attachment of ω-functionalized 1-alkenes leads to functionalized ITO surfaces. The use of a C≡C-Ge(CH(3))(3) terminus allows for facile tagging of the surface with an azido group via a one-pot deprotection/click reaction, resulting in bio/electronically active interfaces. The combination of nonaggressive chemicals (alkenes), mild reaction conditions (room temperature), and a light-induced grafting that facilitates the direct patterning of organic layers makes this simple approach highly promising for the development of ITO-based (bio)electronic devices.