Patterning and Functionalizing Self-Assembled Monolayers

Abstract

For fabricating nanometer-scale devices, functionalized molecular components must be positioned with a molecular resolution and their orientation must also be controlled. Self-assembly techniques were investigated, and various methods were developed for patterning and functionalizing self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) which cover solid surfaces spontaneously with well-ordered and oriented molecules. For patterning SAMs, we studied the phase separation of binary component monolayers, molecular extraction, and growth control on patterned substrates. We are developing techniques for characterizing the functions of molecules in SAMs; for example, we detected a local change in electric conduction and barrier height depending on the molecular species.

Nonlinear optical properties of oligothiophene self-assembled monolayers on gold substrate

“…The variety of functional molecules is almost infinite; nevertheless the use of only conducting and insulating molecules gives a possibility to construct a nanometer device. 1 There are two main techniques for the fabrication of such functioning films: selfassembling of molecules and scanning tunneling microscope ͑STM͒-manipulating. The latter technique allows precise building of the surface structures, but not their extensive production.…”