Self-Assembled Monolayers on Engineering Metals:  Structure, Derivatization, and Utility

A methodology for the formation and derivatization of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkyl phosphonic acids on common engineering metals such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and brass is described. This methodology is shown to be a versatile route for surface modification of such substrates. α,ω-Metal bisphosphonate SAMs are shown to be receptive to complexation by organic acids and acid-containing polymers such as fluoropolymers and ethylene -co -methacrylic acid. This latter attribute is exploited in the construction of polymer/SAM/metal interfaces of surprising durability. The durability of the interface is a strong function of the SAM chain length.