In this Thematic Series the functionality of self-assembled films or of structures derived from them is demonstrated, including mechanical, electrical, and catalytic properties. Unique nanoscale structures are prepared employing lithographic processes and the templating capabilities of the films. Finally, the different characterization techniques employed in these studies point to the unique challenges involved in surface analysis at the nanoscale, and reveal the fascinating properties of the various films and structures.
See also the Thematic Series:
Self-assembly of nanostructures and nanomaterials II
Self-assembly of nanostructures and nanomaterials
Figure 1: (a) Schematic diagram of a bulge test in AFM; (b) Schematic of a biphenylthiol CNM on a window-stru...
Figure 2: (a) Schematic of the central-point method in the bulge test; (b) Comparison of the line-scanning an...
Figure 3: (a) Pressure–deflection relationship of an NBPT CNM with three successive loading and unloading cyc...
Figure 4: (a) Stress–strain relationship of three loading–unloading measurements on a NBPT CNM with different...
Figure 5: (a) Creep rate as a function of tensile strain; creep deformation can be only observed above a cert...
Figure 6: (a) Histogram of ultimate tensile strength of circular NBPT CNMs, with a peak at ~567 MPa (Gaussian...
Figure 1: (a) Topography (color bar: 0–70 nm), (b) phase (color bar: 0–15 degrees), (c) error signal (scale i...
Figure 2: (a) Topography (color bar: 0–70 nm), (b) phase (color bar: 0–15 degrees), (c) error signal (scale i...
Figure 3: (a) Topography (color bar: 0–15 nm), (b) phase (color bar: 0–20 degrees), (c) error signal (scale i...
Figure 4: Histogram of the normalized modulus for different illumination conditions: As prepared, at 365 nm f...
Figure 5: Displacement vectors for the normal mode that dominates the averaged force constant of (a) trans- a...
Figure 6: (a) Arrangement of the fixed sulfur atoms in the MD model of the SAM. The unit cell that has been p...
Figure 7: Compound 1 and compound 2 (2-DA-thiol), showing the deprotection reaction yielding the molecule use...
Figure 8: AFM images of (a) clean evaporated Au surface (500 × 500 nm2 color bar 12 nm) and (b) surface coate...
Figure 9: UV–vis spectra for thio-2-DA in chloroform solution after exposure to 365 nm light (cis form) and 4...
Figure 10: Sketch of the model used to derive SAM stiffness from QM results on the single molecule. (a) A is t...
Figure 11: Computational compression procedure: Force acting on the indenter as a function of the distance bet...
Figure 1: Schematic representation of binding modes between phosphonic acid SAMs and titanium dioxide (1) mon...
Figure 2: Patterning of SAMs on titanium dioxide by the microcontact printing method.
Figure 3: Photocatalytic patterning of SAMs. (A) SAMs on TiO2 (B) SAMs on inert substrates.
Figure 4: Patterning of SAM on a substrate followed by selective growth directly on the substrate.
Figure 5: Partial oxidation of SAMs at predesigned locations followed by TiO2 growth on the partially oxidize...
Figure 6: Patterned growth of TiO2 by “contact area lithography” (CAL) (after [82]).
Figure 7: Patterning of a surface containing TiO2 nanotubes by localized etching, by using patterned SAMs to ...
Figure 8: Specific photocatalytic degradation by the “adsorb and shuttle” approach (after [51]).
Figure 1: A schematic drawing of the target molecules along with their acronyms.
Figure 2: S 2p (a), C 1s (b), and N 1s (c) HRXPS spectra of the target SAMs acquired at photon energies of 35...
Figure 3: (a) C K-edge NEXAFS spectra of the NC-OPEn SAMs acquired at an X-ray incidence angle of 55°. (b) Di...
Figure 4: π*-resonance photon-energy range of the C K-edge NEXAFS spectra of the target SAMs and two referenc...
Figure 5: (a) N K-edge NEXAFS spectra of the NC-OPEn SAMs acquired at an X-ray incidence angle of 55°. (b) Di...
Figure 6: Orientation of the NC-OPEn molecules in the respective SAMs (by the example of NC-OPE3; a planar co...
Figure 7: Calculated C K-edge NEXAFS spectra of NC-OPE3 in the planar and twisted conformations, along with t...
Figure 8: Calculated N K-edge NEXAFS spectra of NC-OPE3 in the planar and twisted conformations, along with t...
Figure 1: [Bmim]Cl assembles on the OTSpd pattern. a) OTSpd discs fabricated by scanning probe deep oxidation...
Figure 2: a) A representative OTS-coated [Bmim]Cl drop on the OTSpd pattern. AC mode topography image. b) Opt...
Figure 3: H2O2 decomposition reaction catalyzed by FeCl3. The process was recorded by the optical microscope ...
Figure 1: (a) Schematic of the tDPN process which uses a heated scanning probe microscope tip to deposit poly...
Figure 2: Orientations of UHV deposited polymer. (a) PDDT typically organizes in such way that the polymer is...
Figure 3: The polymer deposit heights and widths of PDDT deposited onto Si substrate (non-UHV prepared) as a ...
Figure 4: (a) Deposition onto the UHV prepared Si substrate in UHV shows the polymer lying on its side. (b) P...
Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the process flow: (a) SAM formation upon immersion in an ethanolic solution of...
Figure 2: UV–vis spectra of Au/glass substrates with Au layer thicknesses of 10 nm, 30 nm and 50 nm.
Figure 3: IRRAS-spectra of an HDT-coated Au/glass substrate exposing a 50 nm Au layer.
Figure 4: Optical micrograph of a laser-fabricated dot pattern. HDT-SAMs on a Au/glass substrate exposing a 3...
Figure 5: AFM data from patterning experiments with HDT-SAMs on Au/glass substrates exposing a 30 nm thick Au...
Figure 6: Dependence of the structure diameter d on the incident laser power P and the pulse length τ of HDT-...
Figure 7: (a) Calculated stationary temperature profiles on different types of Au-coated substrates used for ...
Figure 8: Optical micrograph of a laser-patterned HDT SAM on a Au/glass substrate exposing a 10 nm thick Au l...
Figure 1: Schematic illustration of imogolite-nanotube structure (left). DFM image of imogolite (right).
Figure 2: Monoclinic solid-state packing arrangement of the imogolite nanotubes.
Figure 3: Purification steps of imogolite from imogo soil.
Figure 4: Schematic illustration of dodecylphosphate chemisorbing onto the surface of individually dispersed ...
Figure 5: Thermogravimetric profiles of the original imogolite, DDPO4H2, and DDPO4-imogolite in N2 atmosphere...
Figure 6: High-resolution XPS spectra for Al2p of the original imogolite and DDPO4-imogolite. Adapted with pe...
Figure 7: WAXD profiles of (a) original imogolite and (b) DDPO4-imogolite. Adapted with permission from W. Ma...
Figure 8: TEM image of DDPO4-imogolite. Reprinted with permission from W. Ma et al., Chem. Lett. 2011, 40, 15...
Figure 9: Static-contact-angle images of water droplets on a silicon wafer cast with (a) original imogolite a...
Figure 10: Schematic representation for the preparation of a PMMA grafted imogolite nanotubes. Reprinted with ...
Figure 11: Chemical structure of BMPOPO4(NH4)2. Reprinted with permission from W. Ma et al., Polymer 2011, 52,...
Figure 12: Wide-scan XPS spectra of the original imogolite and BMPOPO4-imogolite (inset, high-resolution XPS s...
Figure 13: (a) A SFM height image of PMMA grafted imogolite (Mn = 32700, Mw/Mn = 1.33). (b) A phase image (ins...
Figure 14: WAXD profiles of (a) quartz-glass capillary background, (b) bare imogolite, (c) BMPOPO4-imogolite, ...
Scheme 1: Synthesis pathway for electron donating (HT3P) and accepting (HT3OP) terthiophene of phosphonic aci...
Figure 15: Schematic illustration of imogolite structure and the preparation of terthiophene/imogolite hybrid ...
Figure 16: FTIR spectra (a) of HT3P/imogolite hybrid, HT3P, and imogolite, (b) of HT3OP/imogolite hybrid, HT3O...
Figure 17: Normalized solid-state (cast film), imogolite hybrid and solution absorption spectra of (a) HT3P an...
Figure 18: Fluorescence excitation/emission spectra of (a) HT3P, HT3P/imogolite hybrid and (b) HT3OP, HT3OP/im...
Figure 19: I–V curves of imogolite, HT3P/imogolite, and HT3OP/imogolite hybrid. Reprinted with permission from...
Figure 20: Schematic illustration of reversible formation of P3HT nanofiber.
Figure 21: Fabrication and proposed molecular arrangement of P3HT/HT3P-imogolite nanofiber hybrid. Reprinted w...
Figure 22: UV–vis absorption spectra of P3HT (a) and P3HT/HT3P-imogolite hybrid (b) in anisole (0.0005%) durin...
Figure 23: DFM images of (a) P3HT nanofiber and (b) P3HT/HT3P-imogolite nanofiber hybrid. Adapted with permiss...
Figure 24: Out-of-plane (a) and in-plane (b) GIWAXD patterns of P3HT/HT3P-imogolite nanofiber hybrid. (c) Sche...
Figure 1: (a) Scheme of SAM controlled electrodeposition and lift-off of metal structures. Starting from a un...
Figure 2: (a) Illustration of different types of defects in a SAM. Domain boundaries (1) and substrate steps ...
Figure 3: Linear-sweep voltammograms comparing the electrodeposition of Cu on clean (black squares) and SAM m...
Figure 4: (a,b) Chronoamperograms of single potential (a) and double potential (b) deposition processes on a ...
Figure 5: SEM images of Cu nucleation and growth on a MBP0-SAM on Au/Ag/Mica prepared at 65 °C for 24 h. (a) ...
Figure 6: Electrochemical deposition of Cu on e-beam-patterned MBP0-SAM/Au/Si. (a) SEM image of a series of p...
Figure 7: SEM images of a SAM templated copper deposit on the original MBP0 coated Au/Si substrate (a) and af...
Figure 8: AFM topography images of Cu electrodeposited onto an e-beam-patterned MBP0-SAM on Au/Si (a) before ...
Figure 9: AFM images of Cu electrodeposition onto a MBP0/Au/Si sample demonstrating the quality of passivatio...
Figure 10: (a,b) AFM topography images and height profiles along the lines indicated, comparing the roughness ...
Figure 1: Strategies for preparing organosilane nanostructures by means of particle lithography. Basic steps ...
Figure 2: Combining particle lithography with vapor deposition of OTS produced ring-shaped nanostructures. (a...
Figure 3: Particle lithography with vapor deposition of OTS produced multilayered ring nanostructures surroun...
Figure 4: Nanopore structures of OTS were formed with particle lithography combined with contact printing. Co...
Figure 5: Nanodots of OTS produced with immersion of annealed latex masks. Contact-mode AFM images are shown ...
Figure 6: Nanostructured film of OTS produced by immersion of annealed silica masks in OTS solutions. Contact...
Figure 1: Scheme of parallel-contact electrochemical metallization of a OTSeo@OTS/Si template nanopattern (ta...
Figure 2: SFM images (and distance–height profiles along the marked lines) acquired after each step during th...
Figure 3: Semicontact SFM images (and distance–height profiles along the marked lines) of different silver/mo...
Figure 4: Scheme of serial-contact electrochemical metallization of selected sites within the OTSeo lines of ...
Figure 5: Fabrication of a rectangular array of 30 silver/monolayer nanodots by the serial CET process outlin...
Figure 6: Proposed bipolar electrochemical mechanism of metal transfer from a thin, granular silver-film stam...
Figure 1: Trichlorosilyl thioesters.
Figure 2: Thickness and contact angles (advancing/receding) for SAMs based on compounds 1b–i.
Figure 3: UV–vis spectra of SAMs of compounds 1a, 2, 3 and 4.
Figure 4: Representative sulfur XPS analyses of the SAMs of compounds 2 (A), 3 (B) and 4 (C).
Figure 5: ATR–FTIR spectra of SAMs of compounds 1a, 2, 3 and 4, as deposited, and after oxidation with UV-A i...
Figure 1: Schematic illustration and AFM images showing the use of CL in the fabrication of patterned polymer...
Figure 2: Schematic illustration and AFM images showing the use of ESL for the fabrication of ring-shaped pol...
Figure 3: Schematic illustration and AFM images showing use of colloidal microsphere lithography for patterni...
Figure 4: Schematic illustration and AFM images showing the use of colloidal microsphere lithography for patt...
Figure 1: Amplitude ratio of the second to the first harmonic, plotted for different applied forces. The surf...
Figure 2: (a) Force, (b) first-harmonic amplitude, (c) first-harmonic phase, and (d) second-harmonic amplitud...
Figure 3: FMM images of SpA-N B-domain protein patterns on a gold surface, with corresponding cross-section a...
Figure 4: Schematic and FMM images of a series of EG3 patterns on gold. Height, lateral force, amplitude, and...
Figure 5: Schematic of the FMM setup. The AFM probe is kept at a constant static contact force when scanning ...
Figure 6: Schematic of the photolithography process for EG3-thiol pattern deposition. (a) A micropatterned go...
Figure 1: Schematic drawing of the polymer-blend lithography process. After spin-coating in a controlled atmo...
Figure 2: Preparation of a densely packed SAM, performed in the vapor phase within a desiccator.
Figure 3: Fabrication of a two-phase SAM template spin-cast at a humidity of 45%. (a) Schematic drawing of th...
Figure 4: Dependence of the PS island diameter and height by varying the molar mass of PS. (a) AFM images of ...
Figure 5: Fabrication of a three-phase SAM template spin cast at the humidity of 65%. (a) Schematic drawing o...
Figure 1: Structure models of 2CHd-10 (inversion symmetry) and 1CHn-10 (asymmetric). The coloured region repr...
Figure 2: AFM images of randomly oriented (a) 2CHd-10 crystallites and (b) 1CHn-10 fibril bundles on HOPG obt...
Figure 3: AFM images of (a) 2CHd-14 and (b) 2CHd-6 on HOPG taken to demonstrate the capability of the 2CHd-n ...
Figure 4: (a) STM image of two adjacent 2CHd-10 elementary fibrils on HOPG. Imaging parameters are Vt = 1.3 V...
Figure 5: (a) Planar-sheet model (net) of a 2CHd-10 fibril section. The dashed line is drawn parallel to the ...
Figure 6: (a) STM image showing a single-strand and a three-strand fibril of 1CHn-10 on HOPG. Imaging paramet...
Figure 7: (a) Planar sheet (net) model (for representational purpose only) of a 1CHn-10 fibril section. The d...