Electrografting of alkyl films at low driving force by diverting the reactivity of aryl radicals derived from diazonium salts

Langmuir. 2014 Nov 25;30(46):13907-13. doi: 10.1021/la503833j. Epub 2014 Nov 11.

Abstract

Alkyl and partial perfluoroalkyl groups are strongly attached to carbon surfaces through (i) the abstraction of the iodine atom from an iodoalkane by the sterically hindered 2,6-dimethylphenyl radical and (ii) the reaction of the ensuing alkyl radical with the carbon surface. Since the 2,6-dimethylphenyl radical is obtained at -0.25 V/Ag/AgCl by reducing the corresponding diazonium salt, the electrografting reaction is facilitated by ∼1.7 V by comparison with the direct electrografting of the iodo compounds. Layers of various thicknesses, including monolayers, are obtained by controlling the time duration of the electrolysis. The grafted films are characterized by electrochemistry, IR, XPS, ellipsometry, and water contact angles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Diazonium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Electrochemical Techniques*
  • Free Radicals / chemistry
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Xylenes / chemistry*

Substances

  • Diazonium Compounds
  • Free Radicals
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Xylenes
  • 2,6-xylenol