Walter J. Dressick

Bio: Walter J. Dressick is an academic researcher from United States Naval Research Laboratory. The author has contributed to research in topics: Thin film & Monolayer. The author has an hindex of 38, co-authored 156 publications receiving 5590 citations. Previous affiliations of Walter J. Dressick include Rohm and Haas & University of Maryland, College Park.

An engineered anisotropic nanofilm with unidirectional wetting properties.

Abstract: Anisotropic textured surfaces allow water striders to walk on water, butterflies to shed water from their wings and plants to trap insects and pollen. Capturing these natural features in biomimetic surfaces is an active area of research. Here, we report an engineered nanofilm, composed of an array of poly(p-xylylene) nanorods, which demonstrates anisotropic wetting behaviour by means of a pin-release droplet ratchet mechanism. Droplet retention forces in the pin and release directions differ by up to 80 μN, which is over ten times greater than the values reported for other engineered anisotropic surfaces. The nanofilm provides a microscale smooth surface on which to transport microlitre droplets, and is also relatively easy to synthesize by a bottom-up vapour-phase technique. An accompanying comprehensive model successfully describes the film's anisotropic wetting behaviour as a function of measurable film morphology parameters.

Selective metallization process

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for patterning a substrate in a selective pattern. In one embodiment, the process comprises the steps of forming a patterned coating over a substrate surface whereby portions of the substrate are covered by the patterned coating and portions of the substrate remain uncoated. A layer of a ligating material is coated over at least those portions of the substrate free of the patterned coating. The ligating layer is one that is capable of ligating with an electroless metal plating catalyst. The article so formed is then contacted with an electroless metallization catalyst and then with an electroless plating solution to form a patterned metal deposit on the substrate.

Covalent Binding of Pd Catalysts to Ligating Self‐Assembled Monolayer Films for Selective Electroless Metal Deposition

Abstract: A new approach for the selective electroless (EL) metallization of surfaces is described. Surfaces are modified with a chemisorbed ligand‐bearing organosilane film, and then catalyzed with an aqueous Pd(II) catalyst solution. The catalyzed substrate is then immersed in an EL metal deposition bath to complete the metallization process. The ligating surfaces are produced by molecular self‐assembly of 2‐(trimethoxysilyl)ethyl‐2‐pyridine (PYR) on silicon or silica substrates. The catalyst consists of chloride‐containing aqueous Pd(II) solutions buffered at pH 5.0 to 6.4; oligomeric chloro and/or hydroxo‐bridged Pd(II) complexes act as the catalytic species at the surface. The activity of the catalyst has been characterized and modeled as a function of solution pH, [Cl−], and time from preparation. Adhesion of the Pd(II) EL catalyst to the substrate involves covalent bond formation with the surface ligand. An average minimum Pd(II) level on the surface of ~1015 Pd atom cm2 is shown to be necessary to initiate EL metallization of the substrate with an EL Co bath. This process involves fewer steps and displays improved selectivity compared to processes that involve a conventional Pd/Sn catalyst. Fabrication of high resolution metal patterns using the new metallization chemistry in conjunction with deep UV patterning of PYR films is demonstrated.

Synthetic control of excited states. Nonchromophoric ligand variations in polypyridyl complexes of osmium (II)

Abstract: Two themes are explored with regard to the properties of the metal to ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) excited states of Os(II). For a series of Os(II) complexes it is shown that the MLCT excited states undergo facile oxidative or reductive quenching. Excited-state redox potentials have been estimated by both kinetic quenching and spectroscopic techniques for excited-state oxidative couples and excited-state reductive couples. The second theme, the manipulation of excited-state properties by synthetic changes, follows from a consideration of these factors that dictate excited-state redox potentials. It is shown that in the series (phen)OsL/sub 4//sup 2 +/ (L = pyridine, CH/sub 3/CN, PR/sub 3/, AsR/sub 3/, ... and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) where the metal-ligand basis for the MLCT chromophore remains the same and variations are made in the nonchromophoric ligand, emission energies, excited-state redox potentials, and radiative and nonradiative rate constants all vary systematically with the potential of the ground-state Os(III/II) couple. The results show that it is possible through synthetic changes to control excited-state properties in a systematical way. 37 references, 6 figures, 5 tables.

Fuzzy Nanoassemblies: Toward Layered Polymeric Multicomposites

Abstract: Multilayer films of organic compounds on solid surfaces have been studied for more than 60 years because they allow fabrication of multicomposite molecular assemblies of tailored architecture. However, both the Langmuir-Blodgett technique and chemisorption from solution can be used only with certain classes of molecules. An alternative approach—fabrication of multilayers by consecutive adsorption of polyanions and polycations—is far more general and has been extended to other materials such as proteins or colloids. Because polymers are typically flexible molecules, the resulting superlattice architectures are somewhat fuzzy structures, but the absence of crystallinity in these films is expected to be beneficial for many potential applications.

Formation and Structure of Self-Assembled Monolayers.

Abstract: The field of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) has witnessed tremendous growth in synthetic sophistication and depth of characterization over the past 15 years.1 However, it is interesting to comment on the modest beginning and on important milestones. The field really began much earlier than is now recognized. In 1946 Zisman published the preparation of a monomolecular layer by adsorption (self-assembly) of a surfactant onto a clean metal surface.2 At that time, the potential of self-assembly was not recognized, and this publication initiated only a limited level of interest. Early work initiated in Kuhn’s laboratory at Gottingen, applying many years of experience in using chlorosilane derivative to hydrophobize glass, was followed by the more recent discovery, when Nuzzo and Allara showed that SAMs of alkanethiolates on gold can be prepared by adsorption of di-n-alkyl disulfides from dilute solutions.3 Getting away from the moisture-sensitive alkyl trichlorosilanes, as well as working with crystalline gold surfaces, were two important reasons for the success of these SAMs. Many self-assembly systems have since been investigated, but monolayers of alkanethiolates on gold are probably the most studied SAMs to date. The formation of monolayers by self-assembly of surfactant molecules at surfaces is one example of the general phenomena of self-assembly. In nature, self-assembly results in supermolecular hierarchical organizations of interlocking components that provides very complex systems.4 SAMs offer unique opportunities to increase fundamental understanding of self-organization, structure-property relationships, and interfacial phenomena. The ability to tailor both head and tail groups of the constituent molecules makes SAMs excellent systems for a more fundamental understanding of phenomena affected by competing intermolecular, molecular-substrates and molecule-solvent interactions like ordering and growth, wetting, adhesion, lubrication, and corrosion. That SAMs are well-defined and accessible makes them good model systems for studies of physical chemistry and statistical physics in two dimensions, and the crossover to three dimensions. SAMs provide the needed design flexibility, both at the individual molecular and at the material levels, and offer a vehicle for investigation of specific interactions at interfaces, and of the effect of increasing molecular complexity on the structure and stability of two-dimensional assemblies. These studies may eventually produce the design capabilities needed for assemblies of three-dimensional structures.5 However, this will require studies of more complex systems and the combination of what has been learned from SAMs with macromolecular science. The exponential growth in SAM research is a demonstration of the changes chemistry as a disciAbraham Ulman was born in Haifa, Israel, in 1946. He studied chemistry in the Bar-Ilan University in Ramat-Gan, Israel, and received his B.Sc. in 1969. He received his M.Sc. in phosphorus chemistry from Bar-Ilan University in 1971. After a brief period in industry, he moved to the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, Israel, and received his Ph.D. in 1978 for work on heterosubstituted porphyrins. He then spent two years at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, where his main interest was onedimensional organic conductors. In 1985 he joined the Corporate Research Laboratories of Eastman Kodak Company, in Rochester, NY, where his research interests were molecular design of materials for nonlinear optics and self-assembled monolayers. In 1994 he moved to Polytechnic University where he is the Alstadt-Lord-Mark Professor of Chemistry. His interests encompass self-assembled monolayers, surface engineering, polymers at interface, and surfaces phenomena. 1533 Chem. Rev. 1996, 96, 1533−1554