SELF-ORGANIZATION OF ORGANIC LIQUIDS ON PATTERNED SELF-ASSEMBLED MONOLAYERS OF ALKANETHIOLATES ON GOLD

Patterned, self-assembled, monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiolates on gold organized two immiscible liquids-water and a hydrocarbon-in contact with the SAM into simple three-dimensional structures at its surface: the pattern in the wettability of the surface was thus reflected in the self-organized pattern of spatially-segregated liquids. The dimensions of the patterned structure (approximately 2 nm perpendicular to the plane of the SAM) were amplified in the dimensions of the drops (2 mum) in the same direction. This strategy for the assembly of liquid features will be useful in building and controlling three-dimensional structure near the surface of self-assembled monolayer films. Microlense arrays illustrate this utility.