Ultrathin film self-assembly of hybrid organic-inorganic metal coordination polymers

We have investigated the self-assembly of ultrathin zirconium coordination monomer and polymer films using a layer-by-layer approach. These materials are of great interest for incorporating metal ion (inorganic) moieties in o rganic (polymer) films with applications ranging from conductors to catalyt ic materials. The differences between the polymer and monomer assembly from solution are described. These differences were investigated using UV-vis s pectroscopy, AFM, and surface plasmon spectroscopy. The differences in orie ntation, morphology, roughness, and linearity of deposition reflect the con formational limitations of the polymer toward self-assembly. On the other h and, the sequential assembly of the monomer and Zr metal ion indicates the strong coordination between the metal and the organic ligands, resulting in robust homogeneous films.