title: Space-filling trialkoxysilane: synthesis and self-assembly into low-density monolayers.
abstract: A novel space-filling trialkoxysilane derivative was synthesized using a two-step strategy from commercially available starting materials to produce the precursor for the formation of low-density self-assembled monolayers. Self-assembled monolayers of the synthesized compound were prepared on three different substrates (Si/SiO(2), glass and ITO) and were characterized using contact angle, ellipsometry and sum-frequency generation spectroscopy. Removal of the space-filling protecting group, (2-chlorophenyl)diphenyl methanol, yields a carboxy-terminated surface. Correspondingly, the contact angle and film thickness decrease and the SFG spectra clearly indicate an increase in gauche defect concentration characteristic of a low-density disordered monolayer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Boulevard West, Montreal H3G 1M8, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Nithya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Subramanian
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Paula M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Wood-Adams
authors.forename: Christine E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: DeWolf