Abstract:
Characteristics of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) as a part of a class of organized mol. assemblies (OMAs) that represent a major new theme in condensed-matter science is reviewed with 20 refs. After introducing the definitions and characteristics of OMAs in which Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films are compared with SAMs, the opportunities for scientific study, technol. applications of SAMs, and limitations to transferring scientific understanding into technol. are discussed. The discussion of SAMs includes the scientific opportunities in condensed-matter science, heteroepitaxy, and nanostructures; the technol. applications in fuel cells, photoelectrochem., polymer/metal (oxide) interfaces, and thin-film, multilayer, solar collectors; and the limitations of stability, monolayer-substrate interactions, and mech. stability for the transfer of science into technol. After providing an overview and discussing potential payoffs from research, the needs and opportunities are summarized for tribol., fuel cells, photovoltaic cells, electrochromic windows, surface contamination, selectivity, and fouling in membrane sepns., biosurfaces, sensors, and corrosion.