Self-Assembled Monolayer

A self-assembled monolayer (SAM) is a thin film composed of a single layer of molecules adsorbed onto a substrate surface. The molecules are typically organic molecules that form an ordered, dense structure which can modulate the substrate’s surface properties. The major significance of SAM is tied to its ability to enhance the performance of surface-based molecular systems and improve the performance of a wide range of materials due to its structural organization, inertness, and surface chemistry. SAMs have a variety of applications in electronics, nanotechnologies, and biomedicine. They are used in the fabrication of wearable, flexible, and even implantable electronics, as well as in the development of nanoscale devices and drug delivery systems. SAMs can also be used to control the catalytic activity of a variety of materials, enhance the functionality of optical materials, and direct self-assembly processes.