Grazing angle infrared micro spectroscopy of micropatterned self-assembled monolayers

We report for the first time an infrared spectrum of an alkanethiolate coated microsized metal pattern. Sub-femtomole detection limit of octadecanethiolate is demonstrated using grazing angle Fourier Transform Infrared (GA-FTIR) microspectroscopy. The conformational ordering and surface coverage of alkanethiolate self-assembled monolayer on micropatterned gold substrates obtained using two different approaches are analyzed. Conventional solution incubation of pre-patterned gold on a silicon wafer provides infrared features similar to those reported in the literature on macrosized gold substrate. Infrared spectra showed that microcontact printing gives raise to lower density alkanethiolate monolayer. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.