Self-Assembly of Covalently Bound Organic Layers on Semiconductor Surfaces
- Detailed Technology Description
- None
- *Abstract
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Challenge
“Bottom-up”nanotechnology fabrication strategies demand techniques for the layering ofcoherent molecular structures on various surfaces to generate reliableelectrical interconnects within solid-state electronic devices. Engineering good material contacts at themolecular level remains a challenge in these fabrication routes. The ability to create high quality,defect-free electrical interconnects on a variety of surfaces will expand the availablematerials for use in nanotechnology research and augment traditionalfabrication schemes.
Solution
Thepresent invention represents a new process for making ultra-thin,self-assembled molecular layers on the surfaces of semiconducting substratessuch as Si, Ge, or GaAs. This methodrelies on the covalent attachment of conjugated organic molecules and thusallows for the efficient bonding of molecular wires and similar devices tosemiconducting surfaces and other solid-state materials. This covalent attachment provides for astrong coupling between the material and self-assembled layer that ensures goodelectronic interaction between the organic layer and the surface. This increased interaction at themolecule-surface interface leads to more reliable conduction of electronicsignals.
Benefitsand features
- Method is amenable to a variety of technologically important material surfaces such as conductors, insulators, and semiconductors
- Method can be performed at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.
- Organic monolayer films can be made from a single precursor solution
- Method offers the potential for modulating the resulting device properties through synthetic variation of the organic component.
MarketPotential / Applications
Semiconductor surfaces treatedusing this method could potentially replace or improve a variety of solid-statedevices, including those in ultrahigh density information storageapplications. In such a use, the organicmolecules grafted onto the surface could be “read” by probe tips or arrays.
Other potential uses of thisprocess and the resulting materials include their use in high-performancecoating techniques and energy conversion applications.
Development and LicensingStatus
This technology is availablefor licensing from Rice University.
RiceResearchers
JamesM. Tour is the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry at RiceUniversity. He has published over 400research articles and is a named inventor on over 40 patents and patentapplications.
MichaelP. Stewart was a post-doctoral research associate at Rice University.
TechnologyRelevant Papers and Web Links
“Direct Covalent Grafting ofConjugated Molecules onto Si, GaAs, and Pd Surfaces from Aryldiazonium Salts”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126,370-378.
USPatents: 7,176,146 and 7,527,831
USPatent Applications: US2009/0269593 and 12/754,268
Tourwebsite: www.jmtour.com
Case# 22030
KeyWords: self-assembly,nanotechnology, semiconductors
Inquiriesto
Luba Pacala Chance Rainwater
lpacala@rice.edu or crainwater@rice.edu
(713) 348-5590 (713) 348-4106
- Country/Region
- USA
