title: Supramolecular self-assembly of linear oligosilsesquioxanes on mica--AFM surface imaging and hydrophilicity studies.
abstract: Linear oligomeric [2-(carboxymethylthio)ethylsilsesquioxanes] (LPSQ-COOH) adsorb spontaneously on muscovite mica and form smooth, well-ordered lamellar structures at the liquid-solid interface. Side carboxylic groups, having donor-acceptor character with regard to hydrogen bonds, are engaged both in multipoint molecule-to-substrate interactions and intermolecular cross-linking. The unique arrangement of silsesquioxane macromolecules, with COOH groups situated at the interface with air, produces highly hydrophilic surfaces of good thermal and solvolytic stability. Supramolecular assemblies of LPSQ-COOH were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM), angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS) and attenuated total reflectance (ATR) FTIR spectroscopy. Comparative height profile analysis combined with ATR-FTIR studies of the spectral regions characteristic of carboxylic groups and C1s core level envelope by XPS confirmed specific interactions between LPSQ-COOH and mica.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Łódź, Poland. anko@cbmm.lodz.pl.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kowalewska
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nowacka
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tracz
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Makowski
mesh_terms: D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry*; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D017646:Organosilicon Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D058105:Polymerization
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D017646:Organosilicon Compounds; C011934:mica