The Chemistry of Molecules at Surfaces.
Understanding the fundamental aspects of the interactions of molecules with surfaces underpins many advanced technologies, such as molecular electronics, optoelectronics, sensors, heterogeneous catalysis, displays, functional coatings etc. It is a challenge to the surface scientist to unravel the intricacies of these interactions and to design novel systems to exploit molecular and surface properties to advantage. Multifunctional molecules at surfaces display a rich and varied chemisorption behaviour. Our current work is focused in the following areas: The interaction of polyfunctional copper chelating agents and corrosion inhibitors with copper single crystals; The adsorption of small molecules on copper clusters; ordered molecular networks stabilised by H-bonding or covalent bonding on metal surfaces; Early stages of polymer formation following surface adsorption. Key techniques are scanning tunneling microscopy and surface vibrational spectroscopies.
Current Research Activity
- The formation of metal organic 3D frameworks on surfaces. The use of a surface to initiate the growth of self assembled monolayers (SAMs) of polyfunctionalized ligands in order to provide a template for the early stages of 3 dimensional growth of open, porous networks, .
- The growth of metals on metals: systems important to the semiconcuctor fabrication industry and catalyst formation.
- The adsorption and reaction of etching and chelating agents on copper surfaces. A fundimental and practical investigation relevent to the emerging copper interconnect technology for device fabrication.
- The adsorption and reaction of biologically important molecules on copper surfaces.
- The adsorption of chiral molecules on surfaces and the production of large scale ordered, chirally tuned systems.
- Investigation into the toxicology of respirable quartz dusts: surface characterisation and modification of naturally formed and synthetic quartz flours in repect to their biological activity.
Past Projects
- The adsorption of functionised organic molecules on surfaces.
- Adsorption of rotaxanes and catenanes on surfaces; the fundamental steps in the production of nano machines.
- Large aromatic molecules on surfaces.
- Functionised organic molecules on silicon surfaces.