Influence of Nanostructure Design on the Structure and Spectroscopic Characterization of Self-Assembled Organic Films Deposited onto Novel Metallic Surfaces

Understanding the organization and structure of self-assembled organic films on planar metallic surfaces is an important area of research that has led to many practical uses of thin film technology. The incorporation and use of novel nanostructures as substrates for these thin film systems represents a new advancement in this technology. However, the organization and structure of organic films on these nanostructures is not known.

Current understanding of organizational phenomena and structural quality of thin films formed on metallic surfaces has been provided by techniques like infrared-reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS), even though IRRAS is an inherently weak technique. Significant signal enhancements can be achieved with the use of external reflection surface-enhanced infrared reflection-absorption (SEIRA) spectroscopy. In general, SEIRA involves the enhancement of vibrations for molecules that are in close proximity to ideally shaped metallic nanostructures. Unfortunately, the mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon and the factors that lead to the production of nanostructures with optimal SEIRA response are not well understood.

Through the fabrication of novel nanostructures using glancing angle vapor deposition, this project focuses on understanding the impact nanostructure design has on both the structural quality of model self-assembled films and the overall magnitude of the SEIRA enhancement.

Funded by the American Chemical Society-Petroleum Research Fund