Abstract

The use of nanoparticles for advanced applications critically depends on the control of the interfaces between the substrate, the intermediate/linking layer, and the nanostructures. While much work has been done to attach nanoparticles and to determine their properties, less effort has been devoted to the quality of starting surfaces and little is known about the impact of the attachment process on the pre-existing interfaces. In this study, the properties of interfaces of two model surfaces obtained by covalently grafting alkyl chains directly to oxide-free silicon surfaces, either via Si−O−C or Si−C bonds are compared with those currently obtained by attaching organic silane molecules (e.g., (aminopropyl)triethoxysilane) on oxidized silicon surfaces. Using FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and spectroscopic ellipsometry, we show that nanopatterned Si−O−C surfaces suffer some oxidation upon attaching nanoparticles, although they remain stable in ambient environments. In contrast, surface...

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.