Abstract
The topography of silane layers deposited on an inorganic surface was observed using atomic force microscopy. For this purpose, cleaved mica plates were treated with certain silane coupling agents at various conditions. There were used silanes having various organic functional groups such as vinyl-, amino-, etc. with di- and trialkoxy structures. Four different solvents, i.e. 2-propanol, 2-propanol/water mixture, water, and toluene, were used for silane solutions. The pH of each aqueous solution was controlled. As a result, the need of a suitable solvent and pH was clarified in order to obtain a smooth silane layer. The following three factors were found to be important parameters for this purpose : the solubility of silane in the solution; the wettability of silane onto the inorganic surface; and the restraint of the self-condensation of silane molecules in the solution
