In this work, supported in the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program in the Chemistry Division, Robin L. McCarley of Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, will study ways to modify self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on an in place basis. A major thrust of the project is to use electrochemical polymerization to manipulate reactions in SAMs to produce surfaces with specific properties. The chemistry uses conducting thin film poly(pyrrole) polymers produced from substituted alkyl thiols attached to gold surfaces. A number of instrumental methods will be used to study the films that are produced. One, attenuated total internal reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, is particularly useful because it produces information about the chemical composition of the surface of the material. Scanning tunneling microscopy and scanning force microscopy are to be used to provide information about surface topography and structure. The objective is to correlate macroscopic properties of the thin film materials with molecular structure. This investigation will study ways to control the chemistry involved in the formation of organic thin films constructed on gold surfaces which serve as a physical support for the film. The purpose is to produce film materials with physical and chemical characteristics tailored to a specific application. In the long term, this will enable construction of sensors for environmental monitoring and other purposes which have high molecular specificity.
