Description

Some of the most commonly used molecules forming SAMs are those bearing either (i) a mercapto group that can be terminally attached to gold (or other noble metal) surfaces or (ii) a chloro- or alkoxysilane moiety capable of reacting with a hydroxy terminus on the surface. The application of the latter family of compounds is particularly useful for modifying of the silicon and other surfaces that are covered with a thin (several nanometers) native oxide layer (SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2, ZnO, In-Sn oxide ect.). These molecules consisting of a hydrocarbon (R-) chain bonded to a functionalized Si group exist either in the form of chlorosilanes, for example, mono (R-SiClMe2), di- (R-SiCl2Me), or tri-chlorosilanes (R-SiCl3), or alkoxysilanes, for example, mono-(R-SiCl(OMe)2), di- (R-SiCl2OMe), or tri-alkoxysilanes (R-Si(OMe)3), where Me is a methyl or alkyl group. SAMs based on these compounds can be utilized to tailor surface properties of materials [1], making them suitable for biocompatibility, biosensors, the reduction of corrosion rates, pattern creation (lithographic processes), friction reduction (useful in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology), foul resistance, modification of membrane properties, and changes in hydrophobicity.

[1] Efimenko, K.; Novick, B.; Carbonell, R.G.; DeSimone, J.M.; Genzer, J. Langmuir 2002, 18, 6170-6179.