Self assembled monolayers formation, mechanism

Schwartz, D.K. Mechanisms and kinetics of self-assembled monolayer formation. Annu. Rev. 

D.K. Schwartz, Mechanisms and Kinetics of Self-Assembled Monolayer Formation. Annu Rev Phys Chem (2001) Vol. 52 pp. 107-137. 

Garand, E. and RA. Rowntree. 2005. The mechanism of hydrogen formation induced by low-energy electron irradiation of hexadecanethiol self-assembled monolayers. J Phys Chem B 109 12927-12934. 

Smith, R.K., Lewis, P.A., and Weiss, P.S. 2004. Patterning self-assembled monolayers. Prog. Surf. Sci. 75 1-68. Socha, R.P. and Fransaer, J. 2005. Mechanism of formation of silica-silicate thin films on zinc. Thin Solid Film. 488 45-55. 

The self-assembly of alkanethiols on gold is a well-known process that has been the subject of considerable research. " The mechanisms leading to the formation of single-component and mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have been studied extensively. The mixed systems investigated have often consisted of methyl- and hydro l-... 

The first concept, the formation of a template layer, is suggested to enhance adsorption of the first monomer onto the surface as a single monolayer. A template layer is a self-assembled monolayer deposited fi om solution, which exposes a reactive functionality toward the first monomer, prior to introduction of the substrates to vapor phase assembly. This template layer dictate epitaxial growth and ensure the second concept of self-limiting growth of only one monolayer. Therefore, this layer bridges solution and vapor phase growth mechanisms in a unified concept... 

Hubbard JB, Silin V, Plant AL (1999) Self assembly driven by hydrophobic interactions at alkanethiol monolayers mechanism of formation of hybrid bilayer membranes. Biophys J 76 A431... 

In contrast to the conventional BLM system just described, a novel yet extremely simple method for formation of a stable BLM was recently developed in our laboratory (19-23). The technique involves the formation of self-assembled lipid bilayers on solid supports. The supported BLM (s-BLM) has a greatly improved mechanical stability (lasting indefinitely) and has desirable dynamic properties. One of the methods of formation of a s-BLM consists of two distinct steps. In the first step, the tip of a PTFE-coated platinum wire is cut off. To provide the best cut of the platinum wire, we constructed a miniature guillotine (Figure 1) where the sharp knife moves vertically onto the wire placed on the flat base. The cut is performed while the wire is immersed in a drop of lipid solution so that the initial contact of the newly exposed wire surface is with the lipid solution. In the second step, this newly cut lipid-coated PTFE-covered platinum wire is transferred into an aqueous bathing solution. This two-step self-assembled lipid bilayer works because the freshly cut metal surface is hydrophilic and attracts the polar groups of the lipid molecules. Thus, a lipid monolayer is tenaciously formed on the nascent metallic surface. Immersion of the lipid-coated wire into an aqueous solution spontaneously thins the lipid layer to a BLM that is anchored on one side to the solid support and is exposed to water on the other side. Further details of this method are available in the literature (19-23, 41). 

---