What are self-assembled monolayer?

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are molecular layers that assemble on a surface by adsorption, usually from solution. Their formation is mediated by a specific functional group that has a strong affinity for a particular surface.

What is self-assembled monolayer in nanotechnology?

A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) is a one molecule thick layer of material that bonds to a surface in an ordered way as a result of physical or chemical forces during a deposition process. Silanes can form SAMs by solution or vapor phase deposition processes. Most commonly, chlorosilanes or alkoxysilanes are used.

How is self-assembly used in nanotechnology?

Definition. Self-assembly of nanostructures is a process where atoms, molecules or nanoscale building blocks spontaneously organize into ordered structures or patterns with nanometer features without any human intervention. It is the most promising practical low-cost and high-throughput approach for nanofabrication.

What is self-assembly materials?

Self-assembly is the process of association of individual units of a material into highly arranged/ordered structures/patterns. It imparts unique properties to both inorganic and organic structures, so generated, via non-covalent interactions.

Why is self-assembly so important?

Self-assembly has the potential to provide the basis for a new form of molecular synthesis. Classical, covalent synthesis now is so accomplished and successful as an art and a technology that it can make most target molecules.

How are self-assembled monolayers formed?

Figure 1 Self-assembled monolayers are formed by simply immersing a substrate into a solution of the surface-active material. The driving force for the spontaneous formation of the 2D assembly includes chemical bond formation of molecules with the surface and intermolecular interactions.

Why is self-assembly important in nanotechnology?

The self-assembly of nanostructures may enable a wide range of applications [1], such as nanoelectronic devices, ultrasensitive biosensors, carriers for drug delivery, high capacity lithium batteries, efficient photovoltaic devices, and advanced materials with unique mechanical, electrical, magnetic, or photonic …

What are self assembled monolayers?

Although, it has been well-known that some types of organic molecules adsorb on a particular substrate and form a monolayer since several tens of years ago [5-7], such types of organic monolayers have recently named as self- assembled monolayers (SAMs).

Can organic monolayers self-assemble on silicon substrates for molecular electronics?

We present an overview of various aspects of the self-assembly of organic monolayers on silicon substrates for molecular electronics applications. Different chemical strategies employed for grafting the self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanes having different chain lengths on native oxide of Si or on bare Si have been reviewed.

Is monolayer attached to bulk Si without interfacial oxide layer?

This is an evidence that the monolayer is attached to bulk Si without an interfacial oxide layer, on the contrary to organosilane SAMs. As reported in Ref. 13, almost 50% of Si-H groups are considered to remain at the monolayer/Si interface.

How is the organosilane monolayer formed?

After UV irradiation, the exposed layer is washed out, creating a patterning on the surface that allows the formation of the organosilane monolayer. The remaining photoresist can then be removed and a different monolayer is formed on the complementary region.