Collaborative Research: Line-Active Amphiphiles for Nanostructure Stability

这个项目的目的是推进线活性分子（我们称之为linactants）可以用来修改纳米和介观尺度的功能在分子单层内的线张力的基本理解。 控制线张力的能力对于使用下一代纳米光刻方法创建的物体的稳定性至关重要;此外，linactants将允许创建类似于3D胶束或微乳液的自组织2D特征。 该策略将基于分子聚集内的两个和三个组件的单分子膜制备的Langmuir-Blodgett（LB）沉积和相关的自组装方法。 关键组成部分包括线活性分子物种的合理设计和合成，这些分子物种在三维（3D）胶束，双层和微乳液中发挥类似于两亲性表面活性剂分子的二维（2D）作用。以与3D表面活性剂具有疏水和亲水区域相同的方式，这些线性作用物分子将具有两个分子“尾部”;每个尾部将与其他化学上不同的单层组分中的一个有利地相互作用。一种方法将涉及具有一个烃和一个化学上和/或结构上不同的尾部（例如，部分氟化的）。 具体的实验包括线活性（线张力等温线）的系统表征，2D乳液的动力学稳定，以及两个和三个组件的单层相图的探索。这一合作研究项目包括两所不同大学的两个不同学科，旨在扩大妇女和少数群体对科学和教育的参与。 拟议的同事包括三名妇女（一名本科生和两名研究生）和两名少数民族（一名本科生和一名研究生）。 将鼓励所有参与者加入当地的专业协会，并参加地方和国家会议，以推动我们的传播工作。随着器件和材料越来越小，表面和界面的影响变得越来越重要。 特别地，表面张力的影响导致不稳定性，例如凝结或纳米级图案的降解。 出于这个原因，纳米结构的制造需要添加分子稳定剂-在表面分配并降低表面张力的分子。 对于传统的三维材料，如胶体和乳液，这种稳定剂背后的科学是相当好理解的。 然而，对于稳定二维纳米结构所必需的分子（即，在表面上制造的纳米级图案）。 这种表面纳米粒子的稳定性是未来分子电子学和生物传感器技术应用所必需的。 本项目将寻求一种合理的方法来发展表面纳米结构稳定化的科学。 这一合作研究项目包括两所不同大学的两个不同学科，旨在扩大妇女和少数群体对科学和教育的参与。

This project aims to advance a fundamental understanding of how line-active molecules (which we call linactants) can be used to modify the line tension of nano- and meso-scale features within molecular monolayers. The ability to control line tension will be critical to the stabilization of objects created using next generation nanolithographic methods; in addition, linactants will permit the creation of self-organized 2D features that are analogous to 3D micelles or microemulsions. The strategy will be based on molecular aggregation within two- and three-component monomolecular films prepared by Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) deposition and related self-assembly methods. Key components include the rational design and synthesis of line-active molecular species that play a two-dimensional (2D) role analogous to that of amphiphilic surfactant molecules in three-dimensional (3D) micelles, bilayers, and microemulsions. In the same manner in which a 3D surfactant possesses hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, these linactant molecules will possess two molecular "tails"; each tail will interact favorably with one of the other chemically dissimilar monolayer components. One approach will involve two-tailed 2D linactants having one hydrocarbon and one chemically and/or structurally dissimilar tail (e.g., partially fluorinated). Specific experiments include the systematic characterization of line activity (line tension isotherms), kinetic stabilization of 2D emulsions, as well as the exploration of two- and three-component monolayer phase diagrams. This collaborative research project, which encompasses two distinct disciplines at two separate universities, seeks to broaden the participation of both women and minorities in science and education. Proposed co-workers include three women (one undergraduate and two graduate students) and two minorities (one undergraduate and one graduate student). All participants will be encouraged to join their local professional societies and to attend local and national meetings to advance our dissemination efforts. As devices and materials are made smaller and smaller, the influence of surfaces and interfaces becomes increasingly important. In particular, the influence of surface tension leads to instabilities, such as coagulation or the degradation of nanoscale patterns. For this reason, the fabrication of nanoscale structures requires the addition of molecular stabilizers -- molecules that partition at surfaces and reduce the surface tension. The science behind such stabilizers is reasonably well understood for traditional three-dimensional materials, such as colloids and emulsions. However, no such science exists for molecules that are necessary to stabilize two-dimensional nanostructures (i.e., nanoscale patterns fabricated on surfaces). The stability of such surface nanopatterns is required for future applications in molecular electronics and biosensor technologies. This project will pursue a rational approach to develop this science of surface nanostructure stabilization. This collaborative research project, which encompasses two distinct disciplines at two separate universities, seeks to broaden the participation of both women and minorities in science and education.