Fabrication and functions of surface nanomaterials based on multilayered or nanoarrayed assembly of metal complexes

The bottom-up approach to functional nanoscale architectures from molecular components at the surface is the fundamental subject of nanomaterial science. This review addresses the recent advances in coordination multilayered architectures based on metal complexes, and discusses the potential applications in photo- and electrochemical devices. Following self-assembly of an anchor monolayer on solid surface, layer-by-layer growth of the molecular units proceeded with the assistance of metal coordination, resulting in multilayer structures. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of multipod anchoring groups immobilized on surface in order to fix the molecular orientation in a rigid and well-ordered manner. The fixed arrangement of molecular units on surface affords a uniform response to external stimuli and a predetermined distance for electron transfer on the electrode surface, which provides novel molecular electronic devices. An interconnection between two terminals by assembling molecular components is an emerging research target at the nanometer scale. New method for the DNA capture is developed by use of a DNA intercalator metal complex immobilized on surface. Utilizing the DNA capturing ability of the immobilized complex, DNA-templated nanowiring on a Au/SiO2 patterned surface is achieved by selective anchoring of thiol/phosphonate groups, followed by the layering of DNA intercalator on the surface. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.