Self-assembled monolayers and multilayer thin film structures were assembled from multiple components that were linked non-covalently by metal-ligand complexation. Non-covalently assembled multicomponent films assembly my the present method obviate problems associated with the covalent assembly of SAMs and multilayer thin film structures from large molecules. In one preferred embodiment, the disclosed film structures comprise 2,6 pyridinedicarboxylate ligands attached to an alkanethiol, which form a self-assembled monolayer on gold. The SAM is subsequently functionalized by sequential deposition of metal ions and ligands, allowing incorporation of one or more chromophores, photooxiding compounds or photoreducing to form multilayer film structures. Transition metals, lanthanide metals and other metals of varying charge may be employed in complexing with with 2,6 pyridinedicarboxylate ligands to form stable ordered structures. The non-covalent assembly method provides for multilayer film formation from mixtures of metal ions and a varying number of film layers. Multilayer thin film structures exhibit stable cathodic photocurrent generation in the presence of methyl viologen or EDTA in solution.
自组装单分子层和多层薄膜结构是由多个组分非共价地通过
金属
配体络合连接而组装而成的。通过本方法非共价组装的多组分薄膜组装消除了由大分子的共价组装形成的S
AMs和多层薄膜结构所带来的问题。在一个优选实施例中,所公开的薄膜结构包括连接到烷
硫醇的2,6-
吡啶二
甲酸配体,其在
金上形成自组装单分子层。随后,通过
金属离子和
配体的顺序沉积来功能化S
AM,从而允许将一个或多个发色团、光氧化化合物或光还原化合物并入其中,形成多层膜结构。过渡
金属、
镧系
金属和其他带电
金属可以用于与2,6-
吡啶二
甲酸配体形成稳定有序结构的络合。非共价组装方法提供了从
金属离子和不同数量的薄膜层混合物中形成多层薄膜的方法。多层薄膜结构在存在
甲基紫或
EDTA的溶液中表现出稳定的阴极光电流产生。