Self-assembly and bonding of alkanephosphonic acids on the native oxide surface of titanium

Alkanephosphonic acids assemble from solution on the native oxide surface of titanium to form alkane chain ordered films which, however, are easily removed by solvent rinse. In contrast, assembling the alkanephosphonic acid from solution on the native oxide surface of titanium followed by gentle heating gives an alkane chain ordered film of the acid which is strongly surface-bound; this film resists removal by solvent washing or simple mechanical peel testing. Surface imaging by atomic force microscopy shows comprehensive surface coverage by aggregated islands, with elevations of each consistent with monolayer formation. ω-Carboxyalkanephosphonic acids are also easily bound to the native oxide surface of Ti through self-assembly/heating. Infrared analysis is consistent with surface attachment through the phosphonate headgroup.