Odd-even chain length-dependent order in pH-switchable self-assembled layers.

The reversible self-assembly of a series of bipolar amphiphiles, alpha,omega-bis(3- or 4-amidinophenoxy)alkanes (chain length n = 5-12), on mercaptoalkanoic acid-functionalized gold surfaces (chain length n = 10, 11, 14, 15) has been studied by in-situ ellipsometry, IR reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The layer order, amphiphile orientation, and tendency to form bilayers depends on the position of the amidine substituent, the alkyl chain length of both the amidine amphiphile and the underlying acid self-assembled monolayer (SAM), and whether the amidine alkyl chain contained an even or odd number of methylene groups. Thus, para-substituted bisben…

Rough Surfaces by Design: Gold Colloids Tethered to Gold Surfaces as Substrates for CaCO3 Crystallization

ChemInform Abstract: Mercaptophenol-Protected Gold Colloides as Nuclei for the Crystallization of Inorganic Minerals: Templated Crystallization on Curved Surfaces.

Templated Crystallisation of Calcium and Strontium Carbonates on Centred Rectangular Self-Assembled Monolayer Substrates

SrCO3crystals display patterns of templating when grown on tailored self-assembled monolayers (right). As SrCO3 is isostructural with aragonite, comparison of the crystallisation of SrCO3 in the aragonite/strontianite modification with the crystallisation of CaCO3 in all three modifications might yield some insights into which factors are important for crystal growth.

Monolayers of asymmetrical diethylalkanoat disulfides on gold(111):.the influence of chain length difference on atomic force microscope images

Several symmetrical and asymmetrical long-chain diethylalkanoat disulfides were synthesized and character- ized. The differences in the chain lengths of the disul- fides ranged between zero and five methylene units. Self- assembled monolayers of these disulfides formed on Au(111) surfaces were studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in order to obtain information about the origin of the image contrast. Domains with hexagonal lattices (lattice constants 5:2- 5:3 A) were detected for all derivatives, independent of the chain length differences. This indicates that the contrast arises roughly at a depth of 4- 8 A in the monolayers at imag- ing forces between 0: 2a nd 3n N. For SAMs of diethyl…

ChemInform Abstract: Rough Surfaces by Design: Gold Colloids Tethered to Gold Surfaces as Substrates for CaCO3 Crystallization.

Mercaptophenol-Protected Gold Colloids as Nuclei for the Crystallization of Inorganic Minerals:  Templated Crystallization on Curved Surfaces

The self-assembly of monolayers of thiols on gold(111) surfaces yields substrates that are able to template in a controlled manner, the nucleation and growth of crystals of calcium carbonate from solution. In the absence of additives, various factors such as the nature of the thiol, the temperature, and the pH are now established as influencing the nature and relative amounts of the different CaCO3 phases (calcite, vaterite, and aragonite). Recently, we have been able to extend the use of thiol/gold self-assembled monolayers as templates for the growth of inorganic crystals by utilizing protected gold colloids instead of flat gold surfaces. The thiol monolayers that protect the colloids pro…