Fabrication, characterization and application of novel, highly stable, carbene-based self-assembled monolayers

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We have been pursuing our breakthrough in forming materials based on a structure known as a self-assembled monolayer (SAM). We have patented a technology for forming these SAMs, based on the molecule class N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC). In our NHC-based SAM, a highly ordered array of molecules, a single layer thick, may be grown on a metal surface. SAM technology has been around for over 30 years, with the original version based on a sulfur-based (alkanethiol) chemistry. However, alkanethiols are limited: they are unstable in oxidizing environments, and have a short lifetime when exposed to air and liquids. They are also mainly limited to gold, finding little use with other metals. To date, we have demonstrated that NHCs can replace alkanethiols as SAM precursor molecules on gold, and on a range of other transition metals. Air stable NHC precursors have been developed and the SAMs formed can be readily manipulated into differing self-assembly geometries; can support a wide range of surface functionality; are highly stable to oxidizing and higher temperature environments that would destroy thiol-based SAMs; and have drawn the interest of industrial partners for use in such areas as biomolecule detection, metal passivation and microelectronics applications. We will build a research program that capitalizes on this breakthrough. We believe that NHC-SAMs have the potential to challenge current photolithography technology, particularly around the metal interconnects that are used in semiconductor manufacture. Currently, copper is the metal of choice here. Our NHC SAMs can not only protect copper from oxidation, we have also recently found that they can etch copper oxides completely, and are compatible with potential next generation microelectronics technologies based on metals such as tungsten or molybdenum. We will also use NHC SAMs in a detector system based on a phenomenon known as surface plasmon resonance (SPR). SPR can be used to detect drug molecules and disease biomarkers, but the current technology is expensive, and limited to expert labs in hospitals or research facilities. With their greater robustness, and potential greater sensitivity, our NHC-SAM technology should be able to support new field-based and quick diagnostic instruments, expanding the use of SPR to a wider range of applications. Over the course of the next five years, 16 highly qualified personnel will be trained at the postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate levels. Students will be exposed to an interdisciplinary research environment, with the opportunity to interact with colleagues from the UK and China, and be exposed to several major scientific research facilities, such as the Canadian Light Source in Saskatoon. We anticipate that these students will gain the research and workplace transferable skills to successfully compete for positions in research and development, industrial, university and public service sectors.