Active Self Assembled Monolayers investigated via Atomic Force Microscopy

Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs) of thiols Au(111) are one of the useful bases for designing many NEMS (Nano Electro Mechanical Systems) and MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) focused on diverse array of applications. Thiol based SAMs from Mercapto-1-undecanol, an aromatic dithiol, and Amino -1- Hexane thiol-hydrochloride were synthesized in stabilizing ultra-pure ethanol solvent on Au(111) coated mica to create both negative and positive surfaces. These were investigated via Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) with and without functionalized tips to assess their surface packing, consistency, charge/energy characteristics. These were further investigated with the contact angle measurements for macroscopic coverage and their long range surface reactivity on the substrates. Discussion of the results obtained compared with the existing literature will follow.