Self-Limiting Robust Surface-Grafted Organic Nanofilms

摘要

Robust surface-bound insulating polymer films with controlled thickness in <5 nm range are important for technological advances in diverse disciplines such as electrochemical sensors, molecular electronics, separations and anticorrosive coatings. Creating these films by simple methods fromreadilyavailable materials has been a significant challenge. Here we report a newly synthesized molecule combining styrene and thiol moieties, joined via a short linker, that binds to the gold surface polymerizeSj and cross-links polymer chains to form robust films with uniform and controlled thickness and complete surface coverage. Additional layers can be deposited. These films that bridge two-and three-dimensional materials show excellent stability and insulating properties.