Investigation of ultrathin organic films on metal surfaces using electrochemical and polarization modulation infrared spectroscopic techniques

研究的主要目的是确定电荷和电解液组成对吸附在金属电解液界面上的有机分子的取向、表面配位、构象和长程有序性的影响。无论是使用这些分子的单分子层，即所谓的缓蚀剂，还是使用厚层的保护涂料，第一层膜与金属表面之间的相互作用决定了这些屏障材料的保护功能。因此，建议的研究重点是调查超薄膜的行为，如单分子膜。今天使用的大多数缓蚀剂都是通过经验方法开发的，并使用宏观技术(如阻抗分析)进行研究，这些技术只探测这些材料的整体性质。拟议的研究将在真正的分子水平上补充和丰富现有的知识。应用新开发的红外技术(偏振调制红外反射吸收光谱)将使我们能够提取有关保护涂层单分子层中单个分子官能团取向的定量信息。这项研究对保护环境和建筑材料免受腐蚀具有重要意义，特别是在广泛使用缓蚀剂的石化和发电行业。它还将使您了解汽车和建筑行业中防护涂料的附着力。最后，也许最重要的是，这项工作将有助于基础研究，旨在发展分子与界面相互作用的透彻知识。这种研究对于微电子学和新兴的纳米技术领域的进一步发展至关重要。

The main objective of the proposed research is to determine the influence of the electric charge and the composition of electrolyte on the orientation, surface coordination, conformation and the long range order of organic molecules that are adsorbed at metal electrolyte interfaces. Regardless whether monolayers of these molecules, called corrosion inhibitors, or thick layers of protective paints are used, the interaction between the first layer of the film and the metal surface determines the protective functions of these barrier materials. Thus, the focus of the proposed study is on the investigation of behaviour of ultrathin films such as monolayers. Most corrosion inhibitors used today were developed by empirical approach and studied using macroscopic techniques such as impedance analysis that probe only the bulk properties of these materials. The proposed research will complement and enrich existing knowledge on a truly molecular level. Application of a newly developed infrared technique (Polarization Modulation Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy) will allow us to extract quantitative information regarding orientation of the individual functional groups of molecules in monolayers of protective coatings. The proposed research is important for the protection of the environment and construction materials against corrosion, especially in the petrochemical and power generating industries where corrosion inhibitors are extensively used. It will also provide an understanding of the adhesion properties of protective paint coatings in the automobile and construction industries. Finally, but perhaps most importantly, this work will contribute to the basic research that is aimed at developing a thorough knowledge of the interaction of molecules with interfaces. Such research is pivotal for the further advancement of microelectronics and the emerging field of nanotechnology.