XPS and electrochemical evaluation of two-dimensional organic films obtained by chemical modification of self-assembled monolayers of (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane on copper surfaces

In this study, a protective film consisting of an ultrathin two-dimensional polymer was prepared by hydrolysis of a (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (ethanol, 10(-3) M) self-assembled monolayer grafted onto copper and a subsequent modification with 3(heptofluoroisopropoxy)propyltrichlorosilane (toluene, 10(-3) M). Each stage of the preparation was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) while copper's corrosion-inhibitive properties were assessed by cyclic voltammetry measurements carried on in a 0.1 M NaOH medium. A remarkable enhancement of the copper's corrosion protection was obtained by the formation of lateral siloxane linkages between MPTS molecules absorbed followed by the grafting of the second molecular layer. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.