Local Probe Oxidation of Self‐Assembled Monolayers: Templates for the Assembly of Functional Nanostructures

Surfaces with purposes: The electroinitiated patterning of self‐assembled monolayers enables the fabrication of a variety of complex nanostructures (see picture). The possibilities offered by the introduction of chemical selectivity through the local generation of chemically active groups and subsequent derivatization are reviewed, with a focus on progress in this area of research over the last four years. magnified image The local oxidation of self‐assembled monolayers with a scanning probe is a promising method for the generation of structures with chemical functionalities on the nanometer scale. This technique, which takes advantage of the chemical stability and versatility of self‐assembled monolayers and the ability to pattern these monolayers by scanning‐probe‐based oxidation methods, enables the hierarchical assembly of complex structures in a controlled manner. Surface modification can be followed by the assembly of a further functional monolayer and/or additional surface‐modification reactions in the targeted, sequential construction of functional device features.