title: Tailor-made functionalization of silicon nitride surfaces.
abstract: This communication presents the first functionalization of a hydrogen-terminated silicon-rich silicon nitride (Si3Nx) surface with a well-defined, covalently attached organic monolayer. Properties of the resulting monolayers are monitored by measurement of the static water contact angle, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS). Further functionalization was performed by reaction of Si3Nx with a trifluoroethanol ester alkene (CH2=CH-(CH2)8CO2CH2CF3) followed by basic hydrolysis to afford the corresponding carboxylic acid-terminated monolayer with hydrophilic properties. These results show that Si3Nx can be functionalized with a tailor-made organic monolayer, has highly tunable wetting properties, and displays significant potential for further functionalization.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 8, 6703 HB Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arafat
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schroën
authors.forename: Louis C P M
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: de Smet
authors.forename: Ernst J R
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Sudhölter
authors.forename: Han
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zuilhof