Structural Characterization of Self-Assembled Monolayers of Organosilanes Chemically Bonded onto Silica Wafers by Dynamical Force Microscopy

• Published in: Langmuir Vol. 17; no. 16; pp. 4844 - 4850
• Main Authors: Navarre, S, Choplin, F, Bousbaa, J, Bennetau, B, Nony, L, Aimé, J.-P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Chemical Society 07.08.2001
• Subjects: Physics
• ISSN: 0743-7463; 1520-5827
• DOI: 10.1021/la001358b

In this paper, a dynamical force microscopy study of self-assembled monolayers of organosilanes, grafted onto a silica support, is reported. Organosilanes, terminated either with a functional group (ethylene glycol) or with a methyl group, were used. The influence of the reaction time and the solvent composition on the grafting was investigated to improve the homogeneity of the self-assembled monolayers. Numerical simulations of approach−retract curves, obtained in the tapping mode, were performed and compared to experimental ones. Information such as mechanical response and height of the grafted organic layers has been obtained.