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

新型、高度稳定的卡宾基自组装单分子层的制备、表征和应用

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-04038
• 负责人: Horton, Joseph
• 金额: $ 1.75万
• 依托单位: Queen's University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=747908
• 关键词: Fabrication; characterization; application; novel; highly

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.

我们一直在基于一种称为自组装单层（SAM）的结构来形成材料方面的突破。我们已经根据分子N-杂环碳烯（NHC）的技术申请了用于形成这些SAM的技术。在我们基于NHC的SAM中，可以在金属表面上生长一个高度有序的分子阵列。 SAM Technology已有30多年的历史，其原始版本基于基于硫的（烷烃）化学。但是，烷硫醇是有限的：它们在氧化环境中是不稳定的，并且在暴露于空气和液体时寿命很短。它们也主要限于黄金，几乎没有用其他金属使用。迄今为止，我们已经证明，NHC可以代替烷硫醇作为黄金上的SAM前体分子，以及在其他过渡金属上。已经开发了空气稳定的NHC前体，并且可以轻松地将形成的SAM进行操作成不同的自组件。可以支持广泛的表面功能；在氧化和更高的温度环境中非常稳定，这些环境将破坏基于硫醇的SAM。并吸引了工业伙伴在生物分子检测，金属钝化和微电子应用等领域使用的兴趣。 我们将建立一个研究计划，该计划利用这一突破。我们认为，NHC-SAM有可能挑战当前的光刻技术，尤其是在半导体制造中使用的金属互连周围。目前，铜是这里选择的金属。我们的NHC SAM不仅可以保护铜免受氧化的影响，而且我们最近还发现它们可以完全蚀刻铜氧化物，并且与基于金属（例如钨或钼）的潜在下一代微电子技术兼容。我们还将基于一种称为表面等离子体共振的现象（SPR）的现象中使用NHC SAM。 SPR可用于检测药物分子和疾病生物标志物，但是当前的技术昂贵，并且仅限于医院或研究设施中的专家实验室。我们的NHC-SAM技术具有更大的鲁棒性和潜在的敏感性，应该能够支持新的基于现场和快速的诊断工具，从而将SPR的使用扩展到更广泛的应用程序。 在接下来的五年中，将在博士后，毕业生和本科阶段接受16名高素质的人员培训。学生将接触到跨学科的研究环境，并有机会与来自英国和中国的同事互动，并接触到一些主要的科学研究设施，例如萨斯卡通的加拿大光源。我们预计，这些学生将获得研究和工作场所可转移技能，以成功地争夺研发，工业，大学和公共服务部门的职位。