Efficiently immobilizing, isolating and releasing single molecules is an important research topic and has great application in biotechnology, sensing, semiconductor processing and catalysis. So far, methods for patterning isolated single molecules, such as using templated metal nanoparticles or stimulated emission depletion lithography, are either complicated to analyze optically or expensive. Herein, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with isolated functional groups are prepared by mixing a reactive Rink-silane and an inert octadecyltrichlorosilane in specific ratios. These SAMs can form a homogeneous mixture on silicon substrates. Subsequently, discrete fluorescent boron-dipyrromethanedyes are immobilized on substrates through reaction with isolated functional groups on silica. The isolated nature is demonstrated by the fluorescence blinking imaged in total internal reflection geometry. In addition, isolated single molecules can be released by treating substrates with trifluoroacetic acid. This is confirmed by the release of naphthylmethylamine, as seen by UV-Vis.

Functionalized silicon substrates for single molecule capture

248th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.