Self-Assembled Monolayers for Nanotribology and Surface Protection

Abstract

Reliability of various micro- and nanodevices requiring relative motion as well as magnetic storage devices requires the use of hydrophobic and lubricating films to minimize adhesion, stiction, friction, and wear. In various applications, surfaces need to be protected from exposure to the operating environment, and hydrophobic films are of interest. The surface films should be molecularly thick, well-organized, chemically bonded to the substrate, and insensitive to environment. Ordered molecular assemblies with high hydrophobicity can be engineered using chemical grafting of various polymer molecules with suitable functional head groups, spacer chains, and nonpolar surface terminal groups.