CAREER: The Molecular Basis for Interfacial Properties: In situ Sum-Frequency Spectroscopic Investigations

这项授予利哈伊大学梅斯默教授的职业奖项得到了化学系分析和表面化学项目的支持。这项工作的主要研究目标是发展红外和频，以研究自组装在二氧化硅和石墨上的薄膜的吸附和对机械扰动的响应。了解所涉及的工艺可能会改进润滑剂、粘合剂和保护性涂层。组装分子层烷基链中的C-H键和摇摆模式将是研究的首要目标之一。建议同时进行光谱和力测量，以解锁与摩擦效应相关的变化。该提案的教育方面侧重于CHEMPals，这是一个专门为鼓励11-13岁女孩的科学兴趣而设计的指导计划。这里描述的光谱测量是确定表面分子取向的基础研究的一部分。分子的形状及其与表面的连接控制着决定表面特性(如摩擦)的力，了解这些力是生产更好润滑剂的分子研究的一部分。

This CAREER award to Professor Messmer of Lehigh University is supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program in the Chemistry Division. The primary research objective of the proposed work is the development of infrared sum frequency generation to study adsorption and response to mechanical perturbation of thin films self-assembled on silica and graphite. Understanding of the processes involved may lead to improved lubricants, adhesives, and protective coatings. C-H bonding and rocking modes in assembled mololayer alkyl chains will be one of the first targets of study. Simultaneous spectral and force measurements are proposed to unlock changes associated with the frictional effect. The educational aspect of the proposal focuses on CHEMPals, a mentoring program especially designed to encourage science interest in 11-13 year old girls.The spectroscopic measurements described here are part of a fundamental study to determine the orientation of molecules on surfaces. The shape of the molecule and its connection to the surface are controlling forces that determine surface properties such as friction, and understanding of these forces is part of a study to produce molecules that are better lubricants.