19th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
Molecular Rubber Stamps: Controlled Deposition of Single Molecule Thick Films on Electrode Surfaces
John A. Brockman
Dr. Brian D. Lamp, Faculty Mentor
Techniques with the potential to prepare surfaces with a wide range of physical and chemical properties have many applications in chemical and biological sensing. This project focused on the preparation and characterization of electrode surfaces possessing alternating regions of electrochemical reactivity and inactivity. Microcontact printing was used to render portions of the electrode inactive by using an elastomer stamp to deposit long chain alkanethiols onto the electrode surface. This technique is similar to rubber stamping in that the stamp was first inked with an adsorbate, and the raised features of the stamp were deposited onto the electrode surface, where strong chemisorption result in the formation of single molecule thick films in these contacting regions. Once stamped, the electrode was placed in a solution of electroactive adsorbate to modify the underivatized regions. Electrochemical characterization was then used to determine the extent of coverage and the efficiency of the stamping.
Keywords: electochemistry, sensors, stamping
Topic(s):Chemistry
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 9-1
Location: VH 1432
Time: 8:15