Self-assembly of aminosilane films on silicidized iron

It is shown that aminomethoxysilane (AEAPSi) forms almost a monolayer thick film during a hydrolysis on silicidized iron. The molecules chemisorb from a solution in water within a few minutes in a self-assembly (SA) process. IR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements provide evidence for a chemical reaction of AEAPSi with the surface. The surface is covered by more than a half and less than one monolayer after 10 min duration of the self-assembly process (0.5 < theta < 1). The resulting SA film is ordered with the silicon-containing head of the AEAPSi molecules at the interface and the amino group at the outer surface. The AEAPSi molecules have a small tilt against the normal axis.