The change of composition of mixed self-assembled monolayers (mixed SAMs) is an efficient approach to tune the surface properties of materials. This route was for example successfully applied to organic solar cells for morphology and voltage control. The formation of mixed SAMs depends on different factors including the preferential absorption of molecular precursors at the surface, their kinetics of reaction or micro-phase separation. In this study we report on the autocatalysis of mixed SAMs by one of the precursors as an additional mechanism that can strongly affect their formation. By mixing reactive precursors carrying an amine functional group with non-reactive precursors, we show that the final composition of mixed SAMs might strongly deviate from the initial composition of precursor solutions. Surface energy and XPS characterizations were used to evaluate the surface coverage, which directly depends on the presence of the amine precursor. A detailed mechanism for the autocatalysis is presented.

Autocatalysis of mixed self-assembled monolayers containing amine-terminated precursors

244th National Meeting (2012)

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