title: Attachment of alkyltrichlorosilanes to the terminal 3,5-dihydroxyphenyl moiety of a self-assembled thiol monolayer on gold.
abstract: The synthesis of 5-(6-mercaptohexyloxy)-1,3-dihydroxybenzene and the formation of a self-assembled monolayer on polycrystalline gold using this compound are described. Methyltrichlorosilane and (tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl)trichlorosilane were attached to the 3,5-dihydroxyphenyl terminus of the monolayer. The modified surfaces were studied by contact angle measurement, XPS, and cyclic voltammetry. High contact angles of 119 degrees -128 degrees were observed for the semifluoroalkylsilyl-functionalized monolayer. These high contact angles were maintained after subjecting the surface to, e.g., boiling in water or heating in air to 300 degrees C. Characterization of the silane-modified monolayers by XPS indicated more than one layer of silane present at the top of the monolayer. The thickness was reduced after boiling the cross-linked monolayers in H(2)O, however, maintaining high contact angles. Cyclic voltammetry studies revealed that the semifluoroalkylsilyl-functionalized surface showed a higher blocking capability and a higher electrochemical stability than the parent monolayer.
authors.affiliation: Center for Catalysis, Department of Chemistry, University of Aarhus, Langelandsgade 140, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. kvg@chem.au.dk
authors.forename: Kurt V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Gothelf
authors.forename: Allan G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Larsen