Controlling Surface Functionalization at the Molecular and Nanoscale Level Via Molecular Layer Deposition

该项目由斯坦福大学的Stacey Bent教授化学系的大分子、超分子和纳米化学项目资助，将开展研究，以更好地了解分子层沉积（MLD）中的成核和生长机制，并为该过程开发新的耦合化学。将使用定义明确的表面，原位和非原位表面光谱和精心选择的分子系统进行基本的机理研究。研究的目的是调查竞争效应之间的关系，如网站成核和链终止，在确定如何纳米级有机薄膜生长在MLD和扩大类型的耦合化学，使单层和多层膜形成在重要的表面。这些结果将为未来的应用提供分子和纳米级表面功能化的信息。 更广泛的影响包括培训研究生、本科生研究人员、高中教师和社区大学实习生;向科学界、公众和学生广泛传播研究概念和成果;以及MLD研究在电子学应用中对分子和纳米级表面功能化的潜在影响。用薄至几纳米的有机膜涂覆固体材料（大约比人类头发的宽度小10，000倍）是修改固体属性和引入新行为的有用方法。纳米薄涂层的组成可以通过一种方法来控制，在该方法中，不同的有机分子以逐层的方式沉积在固体的表面上。这种逐层形成有机膜的方法正在被探索用于一系列应用，包括集成电路、保护涂层、光刻图案化和太阳能电池。需要更深入地了解这一过程，以获得更好的分子水平的精度和控制。该项目将研究如何使用这些方法生长纳米薄膜，并开发新的化学物质来形成薄膜。

This project funded by the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Stacey Bent of Stanford University will carry out studies to better understand the mechanisms of nucleation and growth in molecular-layer deposition (MLD) and to develop new coupling chemistries for the process. Fundamental mechanistic studies will be carried out using well-defined surfaces, in situ and ex situ surface spectroscopies, and carefully chosen molecular systems. Studies are designed to investigate the relationship between competing effects, such as site nucleation and chain termination, in determining how nanoscale organic films grow in MLD and to expand the types of coupling chemistries that allow both monolayer and multilayer film formation at important surfaces. The results will inform molecular and nanoscale surface functionalization for future applications. The broader impacts involve training a diverse group of graduate students, undergraduate researchers, high school teachers and community college interns; broadly disseminating research concepts and results to the scientific community, to the public, and to students; and the potential impacts of MLD research on molecular and nanoscale surface functionalization for applications in electronics.Coating solid materials with organic films as thin as a few nanometers (about 10,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair) is a useful way to modify the properties of the solid and to introduce new behavior. The composition of the nanometer-thin coatings can be controlled by a method in which different organic molecules are deposited onto the surface of the solid in a layer-by-layer fashion. This layer-by-layer method of forming organic films is being explored for a range of applications including integrated circuits, protective coatings, lithographic patterning, and solar cells. A deeper understanding of this process is needed to gain better molecular-level precision and control. This project will study how nanometer-thin organic films grow using these methods and will also develop new chemistries to form the films.