PRESENTATION BY Professor Manfred Buck, University of St Andrews

PRESENTATION TITLE Molecular Self-assemblies at the Liquid-solid Interface

ABSTRACT Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and supramolecular networks (SMNs) represent two categories of molecular organisation at interfaces. In the case of SMNs, molecules adopt a flat lying adsorption geometry and structures are determined by non-covalent intermolecular interactions comprising hydrogen bonding, metal-organic coordination and/or van der Waals interactions. In contrast, SAMs are characterised by a dense molecular packing of upright standing molecules where an enthalpically favoured chemisorption of molecules is the major driving force for a maximisation of coverage. As illustrated in the talk, both types of molecular systems offer unique opportunities for nanoscience including their combination where SMNs serve as atomically precise templates for patterned SAM formation.

While, compared to ultrahigh vacuum, a liquid environment adds complexity to an interface, it opens additional possibilities for the kinetic and thermodynamic control of molecular systems. This holds in particular for the electrochemical interface which combines favourably with molecular systems as they can, on the one hand, be conveniently manipulated by the electrochemical potential and, on the other hand, be exploited for the control of electrochemical processes such as electrochemical metal deposition.  

ABOUT THE PRESENTER Manfred Buck is Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. He received his Diploma in Chemistry and his PhD from the University of Heidelberg. In 1988/1989 he was a postdoctoral research fellow at IBM Almaden Research Labs in San Jose, California after which he returned to Heidelberg for his Habilitation in 1994. He stayed there until he joined St Andrews University in 2000. His current research interests comprise different types of molecular assembly at interfaces and electrochemistry with a particular focus on the development of strategies for the routine generation of ultraprecise nanostructures.

REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED AT 11h45

For further information, please contact:
Dr Christophe Silien, Tel. No: (061) 234177 or Email: christophe.silien@ul.ie