Self-assembled monolayers and multilayer thin film structures were
assembled from multiple components that were linked non-covalently by metal-ligand
complexation. Non-covalently assembled multicomponent films assembly my the present
method obviate problems associated with the covalent assembly of SAMs and multilayer
thin film structures from large molecules. In one preferred embodiment, the disclosed
film structures comprise 2,6 pyridinedicarboxylate ligands attached to an alkanethiol,
which form a self-assembled monolayer on gold. The SAM is subsequently functionalized
by sequential deposition of metal ions and ligands, allowing incorporation of one
or more chromophores, photooxiding compounds or photoreducing to form multilayer
film structures. Transition metals, lanthanide metals and other metals of varying
charge may be employed in complexing with with 2,6 pyridinedicarboxylate ligands
to form stable ordered structures. The non-covalent assembly method provides for
multilayer film formation from mixtures of metal ions and a varying number of film
layers. Multilayer thin film structures exhibit stable cathodic photocurrent generation
in the presence of methyl viologen or EDTA in solution.
