Effect of solvents on interactions between hydrophobic self-assembled monolayers

An atomic force microscope was used to measure forces between self-assemble d monolayers (SAMs) of hexadecanethiol as a function of solvent type, Solve nts alter interactions between surfaces by changing the wetting properties of the surface. Adhesive forces decrease with solvent dielectric constant a nd vary monotonically for mixtures of water and ethanol, ethanol and methan ol, and water and ethylene glycol, This study demonstrates that interaction s and adhesion between hydrophobic SAMs can be manipulated through changes in the contact angle of the surface. (C) 1999 Academic Press.