This grant, funded jointly by Special Projects in Chemistry and the Division of Materials Research provides support for the research of Profs. Schwartz and Bernasek at Princeton University. The objective of the interdisciplinary research is to synthesize and characterize controlled interfaces between metal oxides and organometallic complex-derived overlayers. Synthetic interfaces of this type are germane to catalysis, electrode surfaces and packaging applications. The interfacial layer which this research will create is conceptually different from that which exists in common interfaces in that rather than relying on physical adhesion, these interfaces would involve covalent interactions between components in the composite. The feasibility of the synthetic approach which is based on organometallic chemistry, has already been performed either on bulk oxide substrates under normal conditions or in ultrahigh vacuum using single-crystal supports. The use of single-crystal supports enables an investigation of the nature and extent of covalent interactions between an overlayer and the surface of a support. Development of analogous methodology for bulk oxides will enable the preparation of materials which can be studied with regard to their bulk physical and chemical properties.
