NER: Templated Nanoscale Deposition

该提案是响应纳米尺度科学与工程计划，NSF 04-043， NER类别而收到的。本研究的目的是为功能纳米结构的大规模组装设计策略。具体的方法是使用电沉积和自组装分子模板。该NER提出通过电沉积在由自组装分子结构定义的纳米级区域中形成长范围、周期性纳米级结构（金属和聚合物）。这些纳米结构及其形成将通过原子力显微镜和扫描隧道显微镜进行研究。我们将解决的问题包括：分子模板结构对沉积模式（分子长度、分子形状和端基的影响）的影响是什么？b)可以沉积的物质范围是什么（不同的金属，可以电接到表面的有机物质，）？c)分子模板是否可以补充其他纳米光刻工艺（纳米刮削、浸笔纳米光刻）？随着纳米级分子工程成为电子和光子器件小型化不可或缺的组成部分，表面上单个原子和分子的控制组装可能会补充光刻技术，从而产生更广泛的影响。然而，要将原子和分子阵列转化为实用的、有用的超分子结构，用作纳米结构形成的模板，就需要解决有关受控组装过程本质的一些基本问题。这一研究结果将对电催化、自组装和电沉积等功能纳米结构的形成具有重要意义。拟议研究的更广泛影响包括培养博士后，研究生和本科生，下一代科学家。我们小组致力于本科生的研究经验，这是我们小组使命的核心，让学生接触到最先进的科学方法。

This proposal was received in response to Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, NSF 04-043, category NER. The objective of this research is to devise strategies for the large scale assembly of functional nanostructures. The specific approach is to use electrodeposition and self-assembled molecular templates. This NER proposes the formation of long range, periodic nanoscale structures (metal and polymer) by electrodeposition in nanoscale areas defined by self-assembled molecular structures. These nanostructures and their formation will be investigated by atomic force microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy.Questions that we will address includea) What is the effect of molecular template structure on the deposition pattern (molecular length, molecular shape and effect of end groups,)?b) What is the range of species that can be deposited (different metals, organic species that can be electrografted to the surface, )?c) Can molecular templating supplement other nanolithographic processes (nanoshaving, dip-pen nanolithography,)? The broader impact arises from the potential that controlled assembly of individual atoms and molecules on surfaces could supplement lithographic techniques in manufacturing, as nanoscale molecular engineering becomes an integral part of miniaturization in electronic and photonic devices. However, turning arrays of atoms and molecules into practical, useful supramolecular structures to be used as templates for nanostructure formation requires that a number of fundamental questions be resolved regarding the nature of the controlled assembly process. The results of this research will be of significance in those fields where the formation of functional nanostructures is important including electrocatalysis, self assembly and electrodeposition of organic and inorganic species. Broader impact of the proposed research includes the training of post-doctoral, graduate and undergraduate students, the next generation of scientists. Our group is committed to the undergraduate research experience, a central core of our group's mission to exposing students to state of the art scientific methods.