Article: Nanoscale films covalently attached to conducting substrates: structure and dynamic behaviour of the layers Journal: International Journal of Nanotechnology (IJNT) 2009 Vol.6 No.3/4 pp.233 - 244 Abstract: Nanoscale organic films, typically 1-5 nm thick, can be grafted to conducting substrates by the reduction of aryldiazonium salts. The grafting procedure results in covalent attachment of the film to the substrate, through a direct bond between the aryl group and a surface atom. The strength of this bond depends on the substrate: for carbon substrates, a high bond energy gives extremely stable layers. This paper describes our detailed electrochemical and atomic force microscopy studies of these films, which demonstrate that multilayer films do not incorporate close-packed layers of aryl groups. A loosely packed structure is consistent with the mechanism of the surface attachment process, which proceeds via the formation of aryl radicals. It is also consistent with the proposed route for multilayer formation which yields branching film growth. Our studies of the films have revealed that they can respond in an, at least partially, reversible manner to their environment, undergoing changes in thickness, barrier properties and wettability as they are exposed to different solvents and/or applied potentials. These switchable properties are proposed to originate in film swelling and shrinking which are possible because of the loosely packed multilayer structure. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Nanoscale films covalently attached to conducting substrates: structure and dynamic behaviour of the layers

Authors: Alison J. Downard

Addresses: MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand

Abstract: Nanoscale organic films, typically 1-5 nm thick, can be grafted to conducting substrates by the reduction of aryldiazonium salts. The grafting procedure results in covalent attachment of the film to the substrate, through a direct bond between the aryl group and a surface atom. The strength of this bond depends on the substrate: for carbon substrates, a high bond energy gives extremely stable layers. This paper describes our detailed electrochemical and atomic force microscopy studies of these films, which demonstrate that multilayer films do not incorporate close-packed layers of aryl groups. A loosely packed structure is consistent with the mechanism of the surface attachment process, which proceeds via the formation of aryl radicals. It is also consistent with the proposed route for multilayer formation which yields branching film growth. Our studies of the films have revealed that they can respond in an, at least partially, reversible manner to their environment, undergoing changes in thickness, barrier properties and wettability as they are exposed to different solvents and/or applied potentials. These switchable properties are proposed to originate in film swelling and shrinking which are possible because of the loosely packed multilayer structure.

Keywords: aryldiazonium salt; surface concentration; film thickness; density; redox probes; wettability; switchable properties; nanoscale films; conducting substrates; nanotechnology; organic films; covalent attachment; multilayer films; aryl radicals.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2009.022916

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2009 Vol.6 No.3/4, pp.233 - 244

Published online: 03 Feb 2009 *

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Title: Nanoscale films covalently attached to conducting substrates: structure and dynamic behaviour of the layers

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