In this project supported by the Divisions of Chemistry and Materials Research, Schwartz and Bernasek will study the preparation and structural elucidation of interfaces between oxided metal or metal oxide surfaces and organometallic complex-derived overlayers. This research combines aspects of organometallic chemistry and surface science. Methods will be developed for activation of surfaces of conductors or insulators by introduction of -OH groups. The reaction of metal atoms or organometallic complexes with these surface groups will be studied and contrasted with solution analogs. It will be possible to create various types of mixed overlayers in specific and reproducible ways. These interfacial layers will covalently bond between components of the composite. Investigations will be performed in parallel on bulk oxide or nitrogen analog substrates under ambient and ultra-high vacuum using single crystal supports. The use of characterizable single crystal materials will enable an investigation of the precise nature and extent of covalent interaction between the overlayer and the surface of the support. %%% Development of methodology for synthesis of surface-bound species, and application of surface analytical techniques to analogous bulk and film supports, will augment our understanding of materials synthesis and interface structure at the microscopic level. Such information forms a basis for understanding mesoscopic physical and chemical interfacial properties of increasing importance as electronics and optoelectronics components become smaller and more complex.
