Understanding the Relationship Between Interface Morphology and Dynamical Properties in Layered Molecular Assemblies

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The dynamical behavior of interfacial systems is the subject of this research project at Michigan State University supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program. Ultrafast spectroscopic methods using interfacially bound fluorescent probe molecules are applied to the study of defect structure, motional freedom of molecules, permeability of solvent into the interface, and energy migration and dissipation in two classes of well characterized interfacial layers in this work. Self-assembled monolayers of alkanethiols on gold surfaces, and zirconium phosphonate multilayers synthesized on metal and dielectric substrates serve as the model systems for developing a molecular understanding of the dynamical properties of interfacial materials. This information is crucial to the use of these materials in a variety of important technologies, including molecular electronic devices and chromatographic separations. Molecular interfaces play important roles in a range of critical technologies, from catalysis to molecular electronic device fabrication. The work of this research project is devoted to developing a molecular level understanding of the dynamics of molecular interfaces using state-of-the-art fast spectroscopic methods. Information obtained from these studies is essential to the rational design and application of interfacial molecular layers.