Making Metallic Contacts to Molecules

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Professor Amy Walker of Washington University is supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program in the Division of Chemistry to investigate the interaction of vapor-deposited metals with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF SIMS) and infrared spectroscopy (IRS). Quantum mechanical calculations will be used to determine metal-molecule bond energies and geometries. A database of metal-organic interactions will be constructed from the integrated experimental and theoretical results, and general guidelines for the design and construction of metallic contacts to SAMs and other thin organic surfaces will be formulated. The idea is to develop simple and reliable techniques to form metallic interconnects to organic thin films in two- and three-dimensions. The production of stable metallic contacts to thin organic films is critical to many strategic technologies including polymer light emitting diodes and molecular electronics. The research will be integrated with an educational program in materials chemistry and nanotechnology, and the students will be trained in the basic science that underlies these important technological areas.