Advanced atomic force microscopy techniques V

• Philipp Rahe,
• Ilko Bald,
• Nadine Hauptmann,
• Regina Hoffmann-Vogel,
• Harry Mönig and
• Michael Reichling

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 54–56, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.6

• inaccuracy caused by electrostatic or capillary forces, this is an additional mechanism having an impact on AFM height measurements. Closely related is the measurement of conductivity. Skolaut et al. investigate conductivity in dependence on the roughness of the substrate using alkanethiol self-assembled

• monolayers (SAMs) and conducting AFM [10]. The authors find that rougher surfaces lead to stronger variations in conductivity, and it is suggested that a correlation of topography and conductivity maps is carried out to identify suitable areas for a representative averaging of conductivity values. Müller et

Spatial variations of conductivity of self-assembled monolayers of dodecanethiol on Au/mica and Au/Si substrates

• Julian Skolaut,
• Jędrzej Tepper,
• Federica Galli,
• Wulf Wulfhekel and
• Jan M. van Ruitenbeek

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 1169–1177, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.97

• -assembled monolayers (SAMs) a perfect test bed for studies on molecular layers. With the idea of molecular electronics in mind, most studies have been aimed at studying the conductivity of SAMs. In previous studies, the contacting of SAMs has been achieved in various ways [4]. We focus here on the

• the use in applications, the properties of such layers of molecules and the interface they form with the metal substrate have to be investigated carefully and systematically. In order to achieve comparability between different types of molecules, ordered layers are favorable, which makes self

N-Heterocyclic carbene-based gold etchants

• Robert B. Chevalier,
• Justin Pantano,
• Matthew K. Kiesewetter and
• Jason R. Dwyer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 865–871, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.71

• self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold. We examined several different species that have been used to produce NHC-based monolayers on gold, namely 1,3-diisopropyl-5-nitrobenzimidazolium iodide, 1,3-diisopropyl-5-nitrobenzimidazolium hydrogen carbonate, bis(1,3-diisopropyl-5-nitrobenzimidazolium)gold(I

• but also the potential for deliberate etching, with the outcome determined by choice of chemically synthesized organic species and solvent. Keywords: gold etchant; microfabrication; N-heterocyclic carbenes; self-assembled monolayer (SAM); thin films; Introduction Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are

Silver-based SERS substrates fabricated using a 3D printed microfluidic device

• Phommachith Sonexai,
• Minh Van Nguyen,
• Bui The Huy and
• Yong-Ill Lee

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 793–803, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.65

• developed system. The substrate was prepared from Ag NPs by decorating the surface of porous silicon with Ag NPs using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). The SAM method offers precise control, versatility, simplicity, stability, and compatibility, making it a valuable technique for surface modification in

Design of surface nanostructures for chirality sensing based on quartz crystal microbalance

• Yinglin Ma,
• Xiangyun Xiao and
• Qingmin Ji

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 1201–1219, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.100

• specific recognition and selective functions in enzymatic reactions and metabolic processes [30]. Therefore, they may also be suitable as chiral selectors in QCM sensing systems. Zhang and Ng et al. successfully fabricated rapid and real-time QCM biosensors based on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of

Detection and imaging of Hg(II) in vivo using glutathione-functionalized gold nanoparticles

• Gufeng Li,
• Shaoqing Li,
• Rui Wang,
• Min Yang,
• Lizhu Zhang,
• Yanli Zhang,
• Wenrong Yang and
• Hongbin Wang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 549–559, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.46

• , surface modifications of GNPs are highly attractive for both environmental monitoring and biological applications. Surface modification of GNPs by using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) [22] is one of the most attractive strategies to enhance their sensing performance. The surface of GNPs can be modified

Investigation of electron-induced cross-linking of self-assembled monolayers by scanning tunneling microscopy

• Patrick Stohmann,
• Sascha Koch,
• Yang Yang,
• Christopher David Kaiser,
• Julian Ehrens,
• Jürgen Schnack,
• Niklas Biere,
• Dario Anselmetti,
• Armin Gölzhäuser and
• Xianghui Zhang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 462–471, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.39

• Abstract Ultrathin membranes with subnanometer pores enabling molecular size-selective separation were generated on surfaces via electron-induced cross-linking of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). The evolution of p-terphenylthiol (TPT) SAMs on Au(111) surfaces into cross-linked monolayers was observed

• ][9]. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are ordered molecular assemblies formed by the adsorption of amphiphilic organic molecules on a solid surface [10][11][12]. Self-assembled monolayers are model systems that enable a fundamental understanding of self-organization and provide a versatile path to

• = 35 Å/ps, k = 30 eV/Å. Schematic illustration of imaging pristine and irradiated self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au(111) by STM. First, STM data of the pristine SAM is acquired. Second, the STM probe tip is retracted and moved to the side to enable subsequent irradiation by the SEM beam. Finally

Exploring the fabrication and transfer mechanism of metallic nanostructures on carbon nanomembranes via focused electron beam induced processing

• Christian Preischl,
• Linh Hoang Le,
• Elif Bilgilisoy,
• Armin Gölzhäuser and
• Hubertus Marbach

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 319–329, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.26

• electron beam-induced processing is a versatile method for the fabrication of metallic nanostructures with arbitrary shape, in particular, on top of two-dimensional (2D) organic materials, such as self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Two methods, namely electron beam-induced deposition (EBID) and electron

• 2D materials used in this approach are ultrathin carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) [21]. CNMs are versatile 2D organic materials with high thermal [22] and mechanical [23] stability that can be produced by electron-induced cross-linking of aromatic self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) [24] and transferred onto

Fusion of purple membranes triggered by immobilization on carbon nanomembranes

• René Riedel,
• Natalie Frese,
• Fang Yang,
• Martin Wortmann,
• Raphael Dalpke,
• Daniel Rhinow,
• Norbert Hampp and
• Armin Gölzhäuser

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 93–101, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.8

• stable freestanding monolayers produced from irradiation-induced cross-linking of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) [35]. They have a thickness in the range of 1–2 nm and can be made from a variety of carbon precursor molecules [36]. They are well characterized in terms of their permeability [37][38] and

Ultrasensitive detection of cadmium ions using a microcantilever-based piezoresistive sensor for groundwater

• Dinesh Rotake,
• Anand Darji and
• Nitin Kale

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 1242–1253, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.108

• 12–24 hours. The experiments were performed to create self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of cysteamine cross-linked with ᴅʟ-glyceraldehyde on the microcantilever surface to selectively capture the targeted Cd(II). The proposed portable microfluidic platform is able to achieve the detection in 20–23 min

Mobility of charge carriers in self-assembled monolayers

• Zhihua Fu,
• Tatjana Ladnorg,
• Hartmut Gliemann,
• Alexander Welle,
• Asif Bashir,
• Michael Rohwerder,
• Qiang Zhang,
• Björn Schüpbach,
• Andreas Terfort and
• Christof Wöll

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2449–2458, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.235

• study charge transport within 2D layers of organic semi-conductors (OSCs) using atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based lithography applied to self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), fabricated from appropriate organothiols. The extent of lateral charge transport was investigated by insulating pre-defined patches

• , using an approach where measurements are carried out for structurally well-defined self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) [9], fabricated from appropriate organothiols. A very large number of organothiolates have been found to form monolayers of high structural quality on Au substrates [10], with a pronounced

• mobility of anthracene and a charge carrier concentration of 1 × 1019 cm−3. Conclusion In conclusion, we demonstrate a novel approach for measuring charge transport in well-defined self-assembled monolayers, SAMs, containing aromatic cores. Using AFM-based lithography, islands of regular shape are carved

Multiwalled carbon nanotube based aromatic volatile organic compound sensor: sensitivity enhancement through 1-hexadecanethiol functionalisation

• Nadra Bohli,
• Meryem Belkilani,
• Juan Casanova-Chafer,
• Eduard Llobet and
• Adnane Abdelghani

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2364–2373, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.227

• sensitivity (up to 17 times), selectivity and improves the response dynamics of the sensors. Keywords: gold-decorated MWCNTs; multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs); self-assembled monolayers (SAMs); sensitivity; selectivity; vapour sensor; Introduction Aromatic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as

• effect of nucleation. The power and time required for the plasma beam aperture within the cell were optimized and fixed to 30 W and 10 seconds, respectively. Functionalisation with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) The Au-decorated MWCNT substrate was further functionalized with an alkanethiol self

Adsorption and desorption of self-assembled L-cysteine monolayers on nanoporous gold monitored by in situ resistometry

• Elisabeth Hengge,
• Eva-Maria Steyskal,
• Rupert Bachler,
• Alexander Dennig,
• Bernd Nidetzky and
• Roland Würschum

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2275–2279, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.219

• using the well-known spontaneous formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold substrates [5]. These layers usually consist of three groups: a thiol as the head group, a carbon chain as the backbone and an end group that can be chosen according to the requirements for subsequent application. For

Features and advantages of flexible silicon nanowires for SERS applications

• Hrvoje Gebavi,
• Vlatko Gašparić,
• Dubravko Risović,
• Nikola Baran,
• Paweł Henryk Albrycht and
• Mile Ivanda

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 725–734, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.72

• temperature and thickness were reported in [26]. 4-MPBA was chosen as a SERS test molecule because of the strong affinity between the thiol group and metal surfaces (Ag or Au) as well as because of the easy formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) [27]. Furthermore, the benzene ring is orientation

Hydrophilicity and carbon chain length effects on the gas sensing properties of chemoresistive, self-assembled monolayer carbon nanotube sensors

• Juan Casanova-Cháfer,
• Carla Bittencourt and
• Eduard Llobet

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 565–577, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.58

• , Belgium 10.3762/bjnano.10.58 Abstract Here we describe the development of chemoresistive sensors employing oxygen-plasma-treated, Au-decorated multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) functionalized with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of thiols. For the first time, the effects of the length of the carbon

• approach, carbon nanotubes act as support and charge transport transducing elements while the recognition function is performed by grafted molecules. Two examples of this have consisted of obtaining thiol-functionalized carbon nanotube buckypapers [27] or self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of thiol molecules

Electro-optical interfacial effects on a graphene/π-conjugated organic semiconductor hybrid system

• Karolline A. S. Araujo,
• Luiz A. Cury,
• Matheus J. S. Matos,
• Thales F. D. Fernandes,
• Luiz G. Cançado and
• Bernardo R. A. Neves

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 963–974, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.90

• on optoelectronic devices possible. In another front, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on low-dimensional systems, such as a graphene (an archetypical 2D material), have attracted significant attention due to the myriad of applications in nanoelectronic devices [14][15][16]. Aiming at the improvement

Tuning adhesion forces between functionalized gold colloidal nanoparticles and silicon AFM tips: role of ligands and capillary forces

• Sven Oras,
• Sergei Vlassov,
• Marta Berholts,
• Rünno Lõhmus and
• Karine Mougin

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 660–670, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.61

• the importance of the surface and quantity of grafting sites to form well-packed monolayers of self assembled monolayers (SAMs) on a surface (or NPs), which will ensure a proper mechanical behavior and aging of the system and reduce its destabilization along the time. In addition, long chains of more

Review: Electrostatically actuated nanobeam-based nanoelectromechanical switches – materials solutions and operational conditions

• Liga Jasulaneca,
• Jelena Kosmaca,
• Raimonds Meija,
• Jana Andzane and
• Donats Erts

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 271–300, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.29

Patterning of supported gold monolayers via chemical lift-off lithography

• Liane S. Slaughter,
• Kevin M. Cheung,
• Sami Kaappa,
• Huan H. Cao,
• Qing Yang,
• Thomas D. Young,
• Andrew C. Serino,
• Sami Malola,
• Jana M. Olson,
• Stephan Link,
• Hannu Häkkinen,
• Anne M. Andrews and
• Paul S. Weiss

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 2648–2661, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.265

• -off lithography (CLL) is a subtractive technique for patterning self-assembled alkanethiol molecules on Au surfaces via rupture of Au–Au bonds at the Au–monolayer interface [1][2]. In CLL, hydroxyl-terminated molecules (or other species with reactive termini) in preformed self-assembled monolayers

• (SAMs) are lifted off Au surfaces through contact with O2-plasma-activated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) stamps. Compared with microcontact or transfer printing methods [3][4][5][6], CLL produces crisp, stable patterns with sub-20 nm resolution and patterned areas of more than square millimeters [1][7

Amplified cross-linking efficiency of self-assembled monolayers through targeted dissociative electron attachment for the production of carbon nanomembranes

• Sascha Koch,
• Christopher D. Kaiser,
• Paul Penner,
• Michael Barclay,
• Lena Frommeyer,
• Daniel Emmrich,
• Patrick Stohmann,
• Tarek Abu-Husein,
• Andreas Terfort,
• D. Howard Fairbrother,
• Oddur Ingólfsson and
• Armin Gölzhäuser

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 2562–2571, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.256

• approximately 1:0.7:0.6. Inspired by these results, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of the respective biphenyl-4-thiols, 2-Cl-BPT, 2-Br-BPT, 2-I-BPT as well as BPT, were grown on a Au(111) substrate and exposed to 50 eV electrons. The effect of electron irradiation was investigated by X-ray photoelectron

• electron-induced cross-linking of specific aromatic self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) [4][5][6][7] and for their subsequent release from the substrate, multilayer stacking, and conversion to conductive carbon layers [8][9]. The cross-linking is typically achieved through irradiation with electrons in the

Triptycene-terminated thiolate and selenolate monolayers on Au(111)

• Jinxuan Liu,
• Martin Kind,
• Björn Schüpbach,
• Daniel Käfer,
• Stefanie Winkler,
• Wenhua Zhang,
• Andreas Terfort and
• Christof Wöll

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 892–905, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.91

• Institute of Technology (KIT), 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany 10.3762/bjnano.8.91 Abstract To study the implications of highly space-demanding organic moieties on the properties of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), triptycyl thiolates and selenolates with and without methylene spacers on Au(111) surfaces were

• . Keywords: organic thin films; selenolates; self-assembled monolayers; thiolates; triptycene; Introduction For more than three decades now, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have enjoyed ever-increasing popularity in the modification and functionalization of surfaces. Numerous applications of SAMs have been

Template-controlled piezoactivity of ZnO thin films grown via a bioinspired approach

• Nina J. Blumenstein,
• Fabian Streb,
• Stefan Walheim,
• Thomas Schimmel,
• Zaklina Burghard and
• Joachim Bill

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 296–303, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.32

• ]. Additionally, organic templates are used to modify the surface of the substrate. Especially self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) [23][24], thin polymer brushes [25] or polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEL) [26] were successfully applied for the deposition of ZnO thin films. With these molecules, a multitude of

Efficient electron-induced removal of oxalate ions and formation of copper nanoparticles from copper(II) oxalate precursor layers

• Kai Rückriem,
• Sarah Grotheer,
• Henning Vieker,
• Paul Penner,
• André Beyer,
• Armin Gölzhäuser and
• Petra Swiderek

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2016, 7, 852–861, doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.77

• -by-layer approach described in detail previously [26], copper(II) oxalate was grown on carboxylic acid-terminated self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) deposited on Au surfaces. Briefly, the SAMs were prepared using a 1 mM ethanolic solution of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) and an incubation time of 72

Investigating organic multilayers by spectroscopic ellipsometry: specific and non-specific interactions of polyhistidine with NTA self-assembled monolayers

• Ilaria Solano,
• Pietro Parisse,
• Ornella Cavalleri,
• Federico Gramazio,
• Loredana Casalis and
• Maurizio Canepa

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2016, 7, 544–553, doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.48

• the adsorption of His6 on the Ni-free NTA layer, due to non specific interactions, from the formation of a neatly thicker His6 film induced by the Ni(II)-loading of the NTA SAM. Keywords: His-tag; nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA); protein binding; self-assembled monolayers (SAMs); spectroscopic

• with oligohistidine peptides has been largely implemented over the years for the affinity purification of recombinant proteins [4][5][6], and for the development of bioanalytical surfaces [7][8][9][10][11][12]. To this purpose, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) terminated with the nitriloacetic acid

Organized films

• Maurizio Canepa and
• Helmuth Möhwald

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2016, 7, 406–408, doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.35

• a molecule in a controlled way for electronic and optoelectronic applications. In this respect, defined protein incorporation, for example, for designing a biosensor, seemed hopeless. Incidentally, these problems were largely shared by self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), as exemplified by the most