Grazing angle infrared microspectroscopy of micropatterned self-assembled monolayers

We report for the first time an infrared spectrum of an alkanethiolate coated microsized metal pattern. Sub-femtomole detection limit of octadecanethiolate is demonstrated using grazing angle Fourier Transform Infrared (GA-FTIR) microspectroscopy. The conformational ordering and surface coverage of alkanethiolate self-assembled monolayer on micropatterned gold substrates obtained using two different approaches are analyzed. Conventional solution incubation of pre-patterned gold on a silicon wafer provides infrared features similar to those reported in the literature on macrosized gold substrate. Infrared spectra showed that microcontact printing gives raise to lower density alkanethiolate monolayer.