AVS 53rd International Symposium
    Surface Science Wednesday Sessions
       Session SS2+EM-WeA

Invited Paper SS2+EM-WeA5
Structure in Self-Assembled Organic Thin Films

Wednesday, November 15, 2006, 3:20 pm, Room 2004

Session: Organic Film Growth and Characterization
Presenter: S.L. Bernasek, Princeton University
Authors: S.L. Bernasek, Princeton University
F. Tao, Princeton University
Y. Cai, Brookhaven National Laboratory
Correspondent: Click to Email
In the self-assembly of long chain hydrocarbons and substituted hydrocarbons on solid substrates, three classes of interaction energies govern the self-assembly process. They are chain-chain interactions within a lamella on the surface, interactions between ordered lamellae, and interactions between the adsorbate molecules and the underlying substrate. These interactions may be dispersive, or more directed interactions such as hydrogen bonding or acid-base interactions. We examine the interaction energies in these self-assembled organic monolayers based on structural studies using molecular resolution scanning tunneling microscopy for a variety of functionalized hydrocarbon molecules. Competitive coadsorption studies, and the effects of solvent on the stability of the structures formed are examined. Long chain carboxylic acids, di-acids, esters, anhydrides, alcohols, and di-alcohols adsorbed on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite have been examined.