Preparation of gamma-APS monolayer with complete coverage via contact printing

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2009 Aug 15;336(2):393-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2009.04.041. Epub 2009 Apr 21.

Abstract

A monolayer film of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (gamma-APS) was prepared by contact printing with featureless PDMS stamp. First, gamma-APS ink solutions in dry toluene were prepared in a dry nitrogen-filled glove box and immediately used for spin coating onto a PDMS stamp, followed by printing on a silicon wafer. Next, water contact angles and film thicknesses were measured as a function of ink concentration (5-100 mM) and printing time (1-60 min) after printing, as well as after aging in toluene for 24 h. In addition, surface coverage, topology, RMS roughness and surface amine density were also evaluated, while the chemical structure of gamma-APS monolayer was analyzed by FT-IR/ATR. Optimum conditions for gamma-APS monolayer with complete coverage were determined to be ink concentration of 20 mM and printing time of 30 min, which resulted in a water contact angle of 93 degrees, film thickness of 0.78 nm and surface amine density of 7.6 molecules/nm(2).