Energetics, timescales, and chemistry of low energy molecular ion-organic surface collisions

Several basic topics are presented here that are related to the modification of organic surfaces by 10-100 eV molecular ions. First, experimental results are presented for energy transfer for Si(CD3)(3)(+) and m/z 190-713 peptide ions scattered off hexanethiolate self-assembled monolayers adsorbed on Au(lll). Next, experimental and computer simulation results are presented on the dissociation timescales of these same ion-surface pairs. Finally, the surface chemical modification of polystyrene polymer surfaces by CF3+ and C3F5+ ions is analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These results combine to demonstrate that low energy molecular ion-organic surface modification is highly surface selective, transfers a large fraction of the incident ion energy to the uppermost layer of the surface, can present unique reactive species to the surface, and can transfer to the surface a portion of the ion's chemical functionality. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.