Mixed silane self assembled monolayers and their in situ modification

Mixed self assembled silane monolayers were prepared by coadsorption of Br and methyl terminated trichlorosilanes. By subsequent in situ modification the Br groups were converted into amino groups which can be used to tether polyglutamates to the surface. Here we describe the characterization of the monolayers by means of contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Both methods clearly indicate that the Br terminated silane is preferentially adsorbed from the solution. Following the in situ modification by XPS a yield of approximately 80% was determined for the substitution of the bromine by azide, whereas the yield for subsequent reduction to the amine is close t…