Characterisation of n-ferrocenyl alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers

Abstract

The study of self-assembled monolayers and their applications in chemistry and materials science have been of interest since the early 1980's. Due to their stable and dense structure self-assembled monolayers have been investigated for uses in many applications including biosensors and electronics. Many other areas of academic research have been guided towards the understanding of fundamental relationships between structure and interfacial monolayer properties due to the vastness of potential applications. Research in polymer and electronics industries have highlighted the utilization of self-assembly in thin film technologies. The facility to modify the functionality of the constituent molecules makes self-assembled monolayers ideal for the investigations of fundamental principles governing molecular substrate interactions, intennolecular forces (van der Waal's interactions, hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions), and molecule-solvent interactions that affect interfacial properties such as corrosion, lubrication, adhesion, growth and wetting.