Nanoscopic Surface Architecture
 
 

Functionality development through the surface architecture based on assembling molecules, atoms and other nanoscopic objects

 
 

Materials emerge much more effective functions when proper shapes and microstructures have been provided.Furthermore, by precisely locating such functional material units, a novel function can be constructed through the cooperative harmonic action between the functional units.

We have continued the research on science and technology of "nanoscopic surface architecture" in order to fabricate, assemble and integrate materials into a regulated structure in minute scales down to the atomic/molecular level.Our interests are mainly focused on thin films and surfaces consisting of organic molecules and organic-inorganic interfaces.

 
 
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  Academic staff  
 
     
  photo : Sugimura Hiroyuki
Professor : Sugimura, Hiroyuki
 
Research Topics
1. Fabrication of thin films through self-assembling processes and application of self-assembled materials to surface finishing and micro-lithography.
2. Nanoscale surface modification using chemical reactions locally induced based on scanning probe microscopy.
 
Contact / Office
Room 119, School of Engineering Science Bldg, Yoshida Campus
TEL +81-75-753-9131 / FAX +81-75-753-4861
sugimura.hiroyuki.7m@kyoto-u.ac.jp
     
 
     
 
     
  photo : Ichii Takashi
Associate Professor : Ichii, Takashi
 
Research Topics
 
 
Contact / Office
Room 228, School of Engineering Science Bldg, Yoshida Campus
TEL +81-75-753-9130 / FAX +81-75-753-5484
ichii.takashi.2m@kyoto-u.ac.jp
     
 
     
 
     
 
Assistant Professor : Utsunomiya, Toru
 
Research Topics
 
 
Contact / Office
Room 218, School of Engineering Science Bldg, Yoshida Campus
TEL +81-75-753-5990
utsunomiya.toru.5v@kyoto-u.ac.jp
     
 
     
     
     
  Research Topics
     
 
( Index )
Organic monolayer and organic-inorganic multilayers fabricated by self-assembly
Attachment of organic molecules onto a semiconductor surface through chemical processes
Manipulation of molecules and chemical reactions based on scanning probe microscopy
Processing of functional surface using hydrophobic ionic liquids
 
     
     
 

Organic monolayer and organic-inorganic multilayers fabricated by self-assembly

 
 

"Self-assemble" is a process by which molecules spontaneously assembled and well-organized into a material.Self-assembling occurs during some types of chemisorption due to interactions between adsorbing molecules and a substrate (Fig.1).

We have been studying on fabrication of organic monolayers and organic-inorganic multilayers in which each layer is controlled to be a monomolecular thickness.Our research is focused on application of such self-assembled thin films to surface finishing and micro-lithography.

 
 
image : Self-assembled monolayer
 
 
Figure 1   Self-assembled monolayer
 
 
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Attachment of organic molecules onto a semiconductor surface through chemical processes

 
 

We have been investigating on the process for immobilizing organic molecules onto silicon surfaces and chemical/physical properties of such organic-semiconductor interfaces.

Organic molecules, for example, unsaturated hydrocarbon, aromatic compounds alcohol and so forth, react with hydorgen-terminated silicon surface and, consequently, attach covalently to the surface.As shown in Fig.2, a contact resistance of a silicon substrate to a gold-coated probe was found to be reduced when the substrate was coated with a conductive organic monolayer.

We expect that this material becomes a new electronic material, as well as its usefulness in a fundamental scientific research on the electron transfer between silicon and organic molecule.

 
 
image : Attachment of organic molecules onto a hydrogen-terminated silicon surface
 
 
Figure 2  Attachment of organic molecules onto a hydrogen-terminated silicon surface
 
 
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Manipulation of molecules and chemical reactions based on scanning probe microscopy

 
 

Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) has an aspect as nanofabrication tools.We have explored nanofabrication processes based on chemical reactions locally induced with an SPM probe.We have succeeded in oxidizing and reducing solid surfaces at a resolution close to 10 nm.By integrating this scanning probe chemical conversion and other surface finishing technologies, a verity of materials ranging from metals to polymers can be assembled on a substrate surface in nm scale.

As schematically illustrated in Fig.3a, a material surface is modified with a sharp SPM tip (Fig.3b).For example, an organic self-assembled monolayer was electrochemically oxidized beneath the SPM tip and became to show a lower surface potential in the modified area due to the formation of polar functional groups such as carboxyl groups (Fig.3c).Figure 3d shows an example obtained by an integrated process in which the SPM-based chemical conversion, wet etching and electroless plating were combined.A gold line of 40 nm in width with a narrow gap smaller than 10 nm was successfully fabricated.

 
 
image & photo : Scanning probe nanochemical conversionn
 
 
Figure 3   Scanning probe nanochemical conversionn
 
 
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Processing of functional surface using hydrophobic ionic liquids

 
 

Ionic liquids (IL), or room-temperature molten salts, are substances, which are usually composed of organic anion and cation, and are liquid at ambient temperatures. Most of ILfs are non-volatile and non-flammable even at elevated temperatures, while usual organic solvents with neutral molecule(s) are sometimes volatile and flammable.
Taking advantage of the nature, ILfs are investigated as solvents for new electrochemical devices and for environmentally friendly organic syntheses, called ggreen chemistry.h We have been developing electrochemical surface modification, or functionalization, processes using a novel series of hydrophobic IL.
Studies are presently directed towards (a) thin-film processing of active metals that cannot be electrodeposited from aqueous media and (b) surface alloy-formation at elevated temperatures at which volatile solvents cannot be employed.

 
 
image : Attachment of organic molecules onto a hydrogen-terminated silicon surface
 
 
Figure 2  Attachment of organic molecules onto a hydrogen-terminated silicon surface
 
 
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